Tribal welcome

Jet, March 4, 2002

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Caption: TRIBAL WELCOME: Education Secretary Rod Paige (c) dons an American Indian ceremonial blanket after he addressed 25 tribal college and university presidents at the Education Department in Washington, D.C. The blanket, designed with the traditional Navajo-inspired "tree of life" that represents prosperity, health and long life, was given to Paige by Dr. Jim Shanley (r), president of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), during a ceremony that included drummers and singers. Dr. Gerald Gipp (l), AIHEC executive director, was among those in attendance. "I look forward to working together with the tribal college presidents and tribal leaders on how we will meet the promise of our American Indian children, their parents and our young people seeking higher education," said Paige.