Arizona tribes to get funding to take over schools

WINDOW ROCK, Ariz. (AP) – Native American tribes in Arizona will receive funding to help them take over schools on their reservations that have historically been run by the federal government.

The Obama administration announced Thursday that six federally recognized tribes will each receive $200,000 in Sovereignty in Indian Education funds.

The money will go toward promoting each tribe’s control of the Interior Department’s Bureau of Indian Education schools.

Interior Secretary Sally Jewell says tribal communities will have more power to create lessons that advance cultural values and Native languages.

The Arizona tribes receiving funding are the Navajo Nation, the Gila River Indian Community and the Tohono O’Odham Nation.

The U.S. government finances more than 180 Native American schools, some of which are considered some of the nation’s most underperforming.