By Felicia Fonseca/
Associated Press
If nothing else, Sandra Begay-Campbell finally got university officials and tribal leaders talking.
Begay-Campbell, a regent at the University of New Mexico, said she ran out of patience waiting for the school to hold a tribal summit — a meeting involving UNM and representatives from all the state's tribes.
So in April she began organizing a summit, which was held Wednesday. It was something the university hadn't done for more than 10 years.
"To me, that doesn't show a working relationship with UNM,'' said Frances Tafoya, a representative from Santa Clara Pueblo.
"It's overdue,'' said Amadeo Shije, chairman of the All Indian Pueblo Council. "It's long time overdue, and I'm glad it's finally happening.''
Leaders from 22 tribes met with UNM officials to consider revising a memorandum of agreement that established an American Indian on the Board of Regents and a tuition waiver to the university to benefit one Indian student from the state.
No resolutions were passed, at least this time. UNM officials and tribal leaders decided to meet again in the spring and possibly sign a revised agreement, said Begay-Campbell, the sole American Indian regent.
"We've achieved the goals the university set 10 years ago, and it is time to stretch those goals,'' said UNM president Louis Caldera. "You can't just rest on your laurels. You have to reach out.''
Tribal leaders expressed concern about rising tuition costs and said UNM is not attempting to certify teachers in native languages or recruiting enough American Indian students or staff and faculty to the university.
"Other universities are aggressively trying to capture our young people,'' said Gov. Everett Chavez of Santo Domingo Pueblo. "That's something I think the University of New Mexico needs to aggressively pursue.''
Pam Agoyo, director of UNM's American Indian Student Services, was chosen this week as a liaison between the university and the tribes.
UNM regents welcomed the suggestions by tribal leaders and said they agree better communication is needed.
"We have to listen to each other,'' said Regent Raymond Sanchez. "If no one is absorbing what's said, we're not going to reach the goals we aspire to.''
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