National Indian Education Association Mourns the Lives Lost in Newtown

Native News Network Staff in Native Briefs. Discussion »

WASHINGTON – In the wake of the tragedy that struck the Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut, Dr. Heather Shotton, Wichita/Kiowa/Cheyenne, president of the National Indian Education Association, issued the following statement on Monday:

The National Indian Education Association joins the rest of our nation as we mourn the lives lost at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut. We are deeply saddened by this recent tragedy and we offer our heartfelt condolences to the families, children, and the community who lost loved ones. As educators, parents, grandparents, siblings, aunts, uncles, and community members we all understand the profound affect that the loss of our children has on our communities.

In the coming weeks as we begin to contemplate this senseless act of violence that resulted in the loss of innocent lives, and as we come together as a nation to begin to heal, we ask that you join us in offering prayers for comfort and healing for the children impacted by this event, for the families who lost loved ones, for our fellow educators at Sandy Hook Elementary, and for the Newtown community.

As this winter season approaches and many of our tribes prepare for our winter ceremonies, as our communities come together, and as we gather in the various places and ways that we pray, we ask that you remember Newtown's children, families, and community. The acts of the teachers and administrators at Sandy Hook Elementary remind us of the commitment our educators have to our children, and we continue to pray for our educators and students throughout our nation.

God Bless,

Dr. Heather Shotton

posted December 18, 2012 6:00 am est