New Mexico officials outline $90 million Indian Education Fund; lawmakers press equity, measurement and IGA delays

Assistant Secretary of Indian Education Katie Ann Waniko told the Legislative Education Study Committee that the Indian Education Fund (IEF) has been restructured so awards go directly to tribes, pueblos and nations and will total $90 million across fiscal years 2026–2028.

"The request has always been, give us the funding. We know what's best for our students," Waniko said, describing the rule change to New Mexico Administrative Code 6.35.2 that eliminates application requirements, releases funds up front and prevents year‑end reversions.

Evan Chavis, who opened the briefing, summarized the allocation mechanics: 80% of the IEF was distributed equally and 20% by a tiered per‑pupil rate. For fiscal year 2026, $23,400,000 was awarded to 22 recognized Pueblos, tribes and nations. Chavis highlighted sample awards for small and medium communities and the tiered per‑pupil rates that pay students with IEPs at $217.88 and others at $108.94.

Lawmakers pressed officials on measurement, equity and timeliness. Representative Garrett and others asked how the state will measure nonacademic outcomes—belonging, cultural proficiency and other tribe‑determined goals—after the three‑year funding window ends. Waniko said those metrics will come primarily from tribal partners: "They will identify to us what that measurement and success looks like," she said, noting mid‑year and final reports PED has received.

Several members raised equity concerns about the 80/20 split. Using figures from the committee packet, one member contrasted a small Pueblo that receives roughly $21,000 per enrolled student with Navajo, which—under the FY26 disbursement shown—amounted to about $175 per student. "Is that equitable?" the chair asked; lawmakers said they could not reconcile very different per‑student outcomes when needs are similar across communities.

Waniko urged continued tribal consultation and review, saying the distribution approach honored tribal sovereignty and that the department would work with tribal leaders and Secretary Padilla on allocation questions. She also explained that some tribes have not yet received funds because intergovernmental agreements (IGAs) must complete tribal governance processes: "Navajo Nation has yet to receive their portion," she told the committee, noting those IGAs can take months and that PED is pursuing a master IGA to streamline future releases.

Committee members requested detailed demographic breakdowns, district cross‑verification of tribal enrollment counts, and follow‑up materials on how PED will track higher‑education outcomes. Waniko said her office has been compiling district and charter data and will follow up with the committee.

Next steps noted to the committee: PED will continue tribal consultation on allocation and measurement, explore a master IGA to reduce payment delays, and provide the committee with the demographic breakdowns and related documentation requested by members. The department emphasized that, while some programs are showing early gains, tribal partners will define culturally appropriate success metrics going forward.