Tribal and Indian education leaders will gather in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to mark the 40th anniversary of Indian Education: A National Tragedy - A National Challenge, commonly known as the Kennedy Report.

The late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Massachusetts) issued the report in 1969. He continued the work that had been started by his late brother, Robert, an advocate for Indian issues.

Tribal and education leaders credit the report with spurring modern efforts to improve education for American Indian and Alaska Native children. "The time is ripe for serious and dynamic changes in Indian education and complete the unfinished business of the Kennedy Report, we can’t change Indian education by whispering, now is our time to speak with a clear and unified voice," said Ryan Wilson, the president of the National Alliance to Save Native Languages.

The reception takes place from 12pm to 2pm in Room 628 of the Senate Dirksen Office Building. It is hosted by the National Alliance to Save Native Languages, the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation of North Dakota and the United South and Eastern Tribes.

Related Stories:
Suzan Harjo: Appreciation for Sen. Ted Kennedy (8/31)
Chris Stearns: Ted Kennedy touched Indian lives (8/31)
NIEA statement on passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy (8/28)
AFN statement on passing of Sen. Ted Kennedy (8/28)
Indian Country mourns Sen. Kennedy's passing (8/27)
Ryan Wilson: Indian Country mourns loss of Kennedy (8/26)