Herminia Frias is the Pascua Yaqui Tribe's chairwoman.

Related articles:

TUSD's plan for Pascua kids is a good start

Production and Manufacturing
Pioneer Landscaping
Crushing Crew Trades/Construction
Pioneer Landscaping
Yard Person/Loader Operator Trades/Construction
Paragon Electric
Electricians General
Prestige maintenance USA
Custodian Trades/Construction
Wentz and Patrick Construction
Carpenters & Helpers Health Care
FRONT OFFICE Trades/Construction
Lectra-Serv, Inc
Electricians & Helpers

The Star's editorial ("TUSD's plan for Pascua kids is a good start," July 17) was misleading. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe is committed to ensuring that our children receive a high-quality education in a safe and nurturing environment.

The tribe devotes a considerable amount of time, money and other resources to the Tucson Unified School District in this effort. Although we carefully outlined our educational initiatives to the Star's reporter, they did not appear in his story.

In the last two years, the tribe's initiatives and assistance to TUSD have included the following:

● The Tribal Council proudly approved a $50,000 grant from our gaming revenues to TUSD for use in schools that serve Native American students. This grant represents nearly 25 percent of the overall budget allocated by TUSD for Native American Studies. We hope that TUSD will use these funds to provide programs that will improve student performance, increase attendance and improve parental involvement.

● In 2007, an additional grant of $6,000 was provided to the Summer Bridge Program for students attending Johnson Primary School.

● We also hold monthly meetings with the principals from the schools that serve Pascua Yaqui children to discuss attendance, academic achievement, parental partnering, increasing student involvement and effectively disseminating information between schools and parents.

● The tribe's Education Division has five staff members who work at the schools to provide support services.

The Pascua Yaqui Tribe, like the city of Tucson or any other governmental agency, does not have the authority to regulate schools or appoint principals. We can, however, work with TUSD to provide financial and other assistance for worthwhile projects that will help our children. That is what we have done, and that is what we will continue to do.

Ultimately, it is TUSD's responsibility to provide a safe, high-quality education to all of the children attending schools in the district. It is TUSD's responsibility to transfer their plans into action.

Our responsibility as a tribe is to make sure schools that serve Pascua Yaqui children receive the same priority and commitment in hiring dedicated teachers, staff and principals as other schools in the district.

TUSD has shown that when the political will is present, it can create "excelling" schools such as Collier Elementary, Sam Hughes Elementary and Sabino High School. We would like to see the same commitment by the district to provide these educational opportunities for our children at Lawrence Elementary, Hohokam Middle School and Cholla High School.

This paper's assertion that the problems plaguing Hohokam Middle School are caused by our community's lack of understanding "the value of education" shows a gross misunderstanding of our community. Moreover, the article blames the families and children themselves for the poor education that the children are receiving.

Pascua Yaqui families are hard-working people who, like most parents, dream that their children will be successful and will realize their full potential in life. Our families understand and value the importance of education in making those dreams come true.

The fact that the tribe funds nearly 400 scholarships each semester to help young tribal members attend a college or university proves this point.

Our families deserve better, and we look forward to working with TUSD to improve the schools in our community.