by: Carol Berry
© Indian Country Today August 12, 2008. All Rights Reserved
 
DENVER - Tribal sovereignty and Native culture sparred with the federal bureaucracy July 23 over evaluation standards and the big picture for Indian Head Start programs affected by shrinking dollars and tightened regulations.

Issues of culture and control underscored the national Office of Head Start tribal consultation meeting in Denver, one of four held nationwide and attended by tribal council members and educators from several states including South Dakota, New Mexico, Montana, Oklahoma, Texas and Nevada, as well as Colorado.

The meetings' official purpose was to discuss ways to better meet the needs of Native children and their families, considering ''funding allocations, distribution formulas and other issues'' affecting Head Start in their areas.