The Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation (CTUIR) has been awarded a $150,000 grant aimed at improving literacy among children on the Umatilla Indian Reservation.
The funding, provided by the Meyer Memorial Trust, will support the creation of culturally relevant reading materials and teaching methods to help children develop strong reading skills.
Zenaida Lyles, a grants specialist at the Department of Children and Family Services, explained that the initiative’s goal is to engage children, families, and elders to better prepare young children for school. “This project aims to involve very young children, youths, adults, and elders to better prepare our very young children for school,” Lyles said.
The program will provide training for parents, guardians, family members, and childcare staff, helping them engage children with educational activities. The project will include recorded stories from tribal elders, paired with illustrations created by local artists. Lyles pointed out that this initiative is especially important, as a 2024 report revealed that only 43% of U.S. fourth graders reached proficient reading levels, with American Indian and Alaska Native students performing even worse.
The project will consist of four main parts: training sessions, material procurement, teaching methodology, and project assessment. Information about participation will be shared through flyers and social media.
Lyles encouraged CTUIR community members to take part in the program. “We look forward to having school children who find joy in reading and learning,” she said.
