Roll Call - October 2, 2026

Students say hello to the camera at Baca Dlo'Ay Azhi Community School in Prewitt, New Mexico.

Chitimacha Tribal School proudly held its first Chitimacha Makx Qatin Fishing Tournament — a community event celebrating culture, family, and the deep connection the Chitimacha people share with their lands and waters.

Anglers of all ages took part, from elders to young children, enjoying friendly competition and catching a variety of local fish. One of the most meaningful parts of the day was seeing generations together on the water all sharing stories, traditions, and time outdoors.

More than a pastime, fishing is a cherished part of Chitimacha heritage. This event gave younger generations the chance to experience that tradition while creating memories of their own. The tournament was a wonderful success and a powerful celebration of community, culture, and the traditions carried forward for the future!

Enemy Swim Day School has completed a significant 16,300 square foot cultural expansion to its campus — an accomplishment made possible through strong community partnership and dedicated leadership. The new space includes four Dakota immersion classrooms, home economics, vocational education (band and music), practical fine arts focused on Dakota culture, and an indoor recess and cultural activities area.

BIE Facilities approved the project, and critical community support funded it. The Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate and the Shakopee Mdewankanton Community strengthened the effort through significant contributions. To honor the tribes, the school proudly hung a star quilt and plaque for each partner.

The new cultural wing stands as a beautiful testament to collaboration, vision, and the future of Dakota education. Special thanks go to the Enemy Swim Day School staff for their hard work in managing the project, and to professional artist Kenzee Schafer for the striking mural that completes the space.

San Felipe Pueblo Elementary School kicked off the school year with engaging learning and community celebration.

In August, middle school students explored the science behind geodes through a hands on investigation. They practiced using both qualitative and quantitative data while cracking open geodes to uncover the mysteries inside.

In September, the school proudly welcomed runners of the 35th Multicultural Red Ribbon Relay Run. Students lined the route with cheers and encouragement as participants paused at the school during their journey to the New Mexico State Fairgrounds. Their enthusiasm added a meaningful highlight to this long standing statewide event.

San Felipe Pueblo Elementary continues to bring learning, culture, and community together in powerful ways!

As we move deeper into the school year, we’re excited to showcase the events, learning moments, and celebrations happening across BIE schools. We’re now collecting content for October and November, and we invite you to share the stories that reflect the heart of your school community.

We’re looking for:

• Fall festivals, family nights, and cultural celebrations
• Halloween
• Red Ribbon Week activities
• Native American Heritage Month lessons, displays, and events
• Veteran’s Day programs
• Classroom projects, artwork, and hands‑on learning
• Any school milestones or reflections as we close out the first quarter

Your contributions help us showcase the incredible work happening across our schools. Please send in your content so we can celebrate and share your stories!

Please include a brief description with each photo and ensure students pictured have the appropriate media release on file. Your stories help keep our communities connected and inspired!

The Bureau of Indian Education Branch of Safety Management recently completed its Annual Program Training in Albuquerque, New Mexico, bringing together Safety and Occupational Health personnel to strengthen program coordination and prepare for the upcoming fiscal year.

Branch Manager Todd Reber led the training, which focused on strengthening safety practices across BIE schools and facilities. Staff reviewed the work to be done in FY2027 – 200 inspection assignments, Annual Workplace Inspection Report requirements, fire and life safety, ADA compliance, abatement planning, emergency drill checklists, and corrective-action tracking.

The training also highlighted the importance of accurate documentation and effective use of technology, including Maximo, OneDrive, mobile devices, and photographs to support workplace inspections and follow-up activities. Staff were also introduced to emerging applications of artificial intelligence in Safety and Occupational Health.

Looking Ahead to FY2027

As the new fiscal year begins, the School Operations Division will expand its focus on physical security and environmental health. Safety and Occupational Health personnel will incorporate physical security observations into field activities and conduct security checks upon arrival at school locations. They will focus on identifying and addressing potential concerns such as indoor environmental quality, mold and moisture, sanitation, ventilation, hazardous materials, and other conditions that may affect the health and well-being of students and employees.

These efforts support BIE's continued commitment to providing safe, healthy, and secure learning and working environments throughout Indian Country.

Welcome to the Team!

The Branch of Safety Management welcomes Savanah Six, MPH, MSW, and LCDR Fleurette Brown, who have joined BIE as Safety & Occupational Health Specialists assigned to the Window Rock Office and Gallup Office.

Savanah and Fleurette will support the Branch's growing FY2027 workload and contribute to workplace safety, physical security, environmental health, fire and life safety, inspections, and compliance efforts. The Branch looks forward to a productive FY2027 focused on proactive hazard identification, strong partnerships, timely corrective action, and continuous improvement of the BIE safety program.

This month, we’re celebrating chokecherries, a traditional food gathered for generations across the Plains, Plateau, Great Basin, and Great Lakes regions. Known for their high fiber, potassium, and deep red‑black color rich in anthocyanins, chokecherries have long been valued for both nutrition and cultural importance . Families traditionally pounded the whole fruit and dried it into patties that kept for years. These patties became winter food, wojapi berry sauce, or wasná (often called pemmican), offering nourishment and energy through the hardest seasons .

This month’s packet also includes a recipe for chokecherry wojapi, a thick, rich berry sauce that can be served over frybread, corn cakes, oatmeal, yogurt, or alongside savory dishes. Click below to download the full packet and explore cultural history, nutrition facts, fun harvesting knowledge, and the recipe.

The Bureau of Indian Education proudly recognizes Yui Hoptowit, Contracting Officer in the Division of Acquisition Management. Yui brings exceptional technical expertise, professionalism, and a strong commitment to service — qualities that strengthen BIE’s mission every day.

Yui has eight years of federal experience and holds a FAC C Professional Certification. She joined BIE in June 2023 after building a solid foundation in acquisition with the U.S. Air Force. In her current role, Yui manages a wide range of contracting activities with precision, steady communication, and a problem solving mindset that supports programs across the organization. Her reliability and teamwork have been especially valued during periods of heavy workload and shifting priorities.

A graduate of the University of Hawaii at Manoa (BBA) and Sophia University in Tokyo (BA), Yui brings strong analytical skills and broad contracting knowledge to her work. She lives in Honolulu with her husband and daughter and is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation — carrying pride in her heritage into everything she does.

Outside of work, Yui enjoys time outdoors, traveling, and keeping up with her energetic child. This month, she is recognized for her professionalism, dependability, positivity, and meaningful contributions to the BIE team.

Please bookmark this form and share your upcoming events and milestones with us so we can identify opportunities for BIE and Indian Affairs leadership to participate and celebrate with your school community.

We’re especially interested in ribbon cuttings, groundbreaking ceremonies, policy or program announcements, cultural celebrations, student showcases, major academic or athletic achievements, community events, and other significant school milestones.

Sharing these events early helps us coordinate leadership participation, amplify your school’s accomplishments, and ensure the great work happening across BIE schools receives the visibility it deserves.

Please review the following memo from the Director's Office that addresses the BIE's policy regarding usage of the Bureau's official letterhead. It addresses modifications, templates for various purposes, and more.

Please read the updated BIE Travel Guidance for fiscal year 2027 attached below.

Training and TA Opportunities:

• Monthly Travel Essentials: Training & TA Session - Wednesday, October 7, 2026 (3 PM - 4 PM ET)
• Open Office Hours: BIE FY27 Travel Guidance Update - Thursday, October 15, 2026 (12 PM - 1 PM ET)
• Open Office Hours: BIE FY27 Travel Guidance Update - Tuesday, October 20, 2026 (1 PM - 2 PM ET)

Join the BIE School Operations Division Finance Team for a series of virtual lunchtime trainings on best practices for school financial professionals. Topics are wide-ranging, from inventory logs and submitting UDO certifications to year-end memos and researching transactions. These sessions will take place on Thursdays from July 2026 through April 2027.

Supporting schools with their new resource, the Strategic Transformation of Education initiative launched a Monthly School Website Help Desk on the second Thursday of each month at 3 p.m. EST. The one-hour call features a short training topic, such as a new feature, content strategy, or FAQs, followed by an open session for problem-solving and answering questions.