BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – For the last ten years, the North Dakota American Indian Summit has provided information and resources about Native American culture and history for the classroom.

It has also discussed ways to help Native American students work on healing any trauma or improving their mental health to aid their academic success.

According to the National Center for Education Statistics, the Native American graduation rate ten years ago was 60 percent. That year, the North Dakota American Indian Summit was organized by the Department of Public Instruction. The event’s purpose was to educate teachers on how to lead their Native American students to success in school.

”It became obvious that it was critical, for the success of our state, and for the ability for us to fully thrive to our fullest potential as a state, we needed to make sure that every single student in our school system was meeting their fullest potential,” said Kirsten Baesler, state superintendent.

This year Derrick Boles, a motivational speaker, was invited to be one of the keynote speakers at the summit. Boles’ message was about mental health and taking charge of your life. He said he sees similarities between challenges in the Black community to the ones the Native American community faces.

”There’s so much growth that can happen if we can connect people together, from multiple backgrounds,” said Boles. “So having different experiences, different perspectives and just having everybody thinking the same thing is the issue.”

Over the last 10 years, the Native American student graduation rates have increased, from 60 percent in 2014 to 77 percent in 2023.

”Right before the pandemic, our Native American students were graduating at the same rate as all of our overall graduation rate, and so they were in the upper eighties, lower nineties graduation rate,” said Baesler.

The rates decreased again during the COVID-19 lockdown, but Baesler said they have been on the rise.

This year’s summit was focused on strengthening Native American education in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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Neil Koenig, 78, Jamestown, ND, died Wednesday, July 17, 2024 at Jamestown Regional Medical Center in Jamestown.

Neil Nathan Koenig was born in Everett, WA on December 9, 1945 to Edgar and Marjorie (Peyer) Koenig joining brother Larry and sisters Glenda and Kay. In 1946 at the age of 9 months his family returned to ND. They rented in the Robinson area until purchasing a farm north of Robinson. In 1954 a brother, Douglas joined the family. Neil attended the North Merkel #3 Country School through the eighth grade, finishing High School in Robinson, ND. In 1957 their mother passed away. Neil continued working on the family farm.

He married Catherine Mary McDade on July 17, 1965 at Aberdeen, SD. They made their home with his, Dad, Edgar and brother Doug on the recently purchased Louie West/Virgil Koenig farm. On April 28, 1968 a daughter, Georgette Ja was born. In fall of 1969 the farm was sold, Neil continued to work several jobs in the area until employment at a newly built Western Gear Manufacturing Company in Jamestown, ND. Neil was the 4th one hired at Western Gear and continued working through 9 different company name changes at the aerospace plant for 37 years until retiring in March of 2008. Neil, Cathy and Georgette moved to Jamestown, ND on New Years Day of 1971. On March 16, 1972 a son, Brent LeRoy was born.

Neil is survived by his wife Cathy Koenig, Daughter Georgette Koenig and son, Brent Koenig (Marella Presler), his grandchildren Danielle Trapp, Jesse Sailer, Lee Trapp, Cameron Koenig, Jade Koenig, and Keely Wagner, and his great grandchildren Max, Isla, and Greyson. He is also survived by 1 brother Douglas Koenig. 3 sisters-in-law Peggy Kertscher, Jill (Sunil) Misra, June (Dale) Neumiller. As well as many nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his mother, father, 1 brother, 2 sisters, 2 sisters-in-law, 1 brother-in-law, 1 niece, and many close aunts and uncles.

Visitation- 4-7p Sunday at the funeral home

Funeral Service- 11:00 AM Monday, July 22, 2024 at Haut Funeral Home in Jamestown.

Interment- 2:30 PM Monday at Fairview Cemetery- SE of Robinson, ND.

DICKINSON, N.D. (KFGO/Prairie Public) – North Dakota University System Chancellor Mark Hagerott is honoring departing Dickinson State University President Steve Easton as a “turnaround leader.”

Speaking to the Board of Higher Education’s Academic and Student Affairs Committee, Hagerott said Easton came in with the COVID pandemic, and with a bankrupt foundation. He said Easton grew DSU’s enrollment, and brought the foundation back.

Recently, Easton had been at odds with the state Board of Nursing. And the entire nursing faculty at DSU resigned. He also received pushback earlier, when he had suggested changing tenure at the school.

Hagerott told the Committee Easton decided to resign for the sake of the students.

“President Easton is responsible for the health, safety, welfare and financial conditions — the “CFI” accreditation — of that institution,” Hagerott said. “And I think there’s an open question about a separate entity materially undermining his ability to execute his responsibilities as determined by the Constitution of North Dakota.”

Hagerott said he just wanted to clear the air, for anyone who “remotely thought I or the Board have anything but the highest regard for that man.”

Hagerott also told the Committee negotiations are underway with the Board of Nursing, and he hopes to have that settled soon. He said an acting President will soon be named, and the Board will likely select an interim President while a search gets underway.

“The most important thing is that all students returning will know Dickinson is a great place to go to school,” Hagerott said. “They’ve turned the corner. WE take care of people.”

Hagerott will be in Dickinson Thursday to meet with faculty.