Worldwide, the survival of indigenous peoples and their cultures is a compelling political issue. The breakup of the Soviet Union testifies, in part, to the strong claims that minorities make for self-determination. Elsewhere, Kurds, Basques, and other indigenous groups demand independence.
The United Nations recognized both the predicament and aspirations of indigenous minorities by declaring 1993 the "International Year for the World's Indigenous People." The current policy of Indian self-determination in the United States, while not perfect, approaches the ideal of freedom and cultural democracy envisioned in the United Nations' Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Tribal schools and colleges are helping change the negative environment on many reservations to one of hope. And the renewal of traditional Native cultures in and out of school is re-establishing a sense of community and is fighting the materialistic, hedonistic, and individualistic forces of the popular culture.
American Indian and Alaska Native concerns about land, culture, and community are concerns that all Americans need to share if we are to assure a future for all of our children.
For further reading
Brandt, Elizabeth. (1992). The Navajo Area Dropout Study: Findings & Implications. Journal of American Indian Education, 31(2), 48-63.
Cleary, Linda Miller, & Peacock, Thomas D. (1998). Collected Wisdom: American Indian Education. Boston, MA: Allyn & Bacon.
Donna, Deyhle (1992. Constructing Failure and Maintaining Cultural Identity: Navajo and Ute School Leavers. Journal of American Indian Education, 31(2), 24-47
Fedullo, Mick. (1992). Light of the Feather: Pathways Through Contemporary Indian America. New York: Morrow.
Gilliland, Hap. (1999). Teaching the Native American (4th ed.). Dubuque, IO: Kendall/Hunt.
Indian Nations at Risk Task Force. (1991). Final Report. Washington, DC: U.S. Department of Education. (ERIC Document Reproduction Service No. ED 339587)
Jacobs, Don Trent, & Reyhner, Jon. (2002). Preparing Teachers to Support American Indian and Alaska Native Student Success and Cultural Heritage. ERIC Digest EDO-RC-01-13
Qöyawayma, Polingaysi (Elizabeth White). (1964) No Turning Back: A Hopi Woman's Struggle to Live in Two Worlds (as told to Vada F. Carlson). Albuquerque: University of New Mexico Press.
Reyhner, Jon. (1992). American Indians out of school: A review of school-based causes and solutions. Journal of American Indian Education, 31(3), 37-56.
Reyhner, Jon. (2006). Education and Language Restoration (Contemporary Native American Issues Series. Philadelphia, PA: Chelsea House.
Reyhner, Jon. (Ed.). (1992). Teaching American Indian Students. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
Reyhner, Jon. (2001). Teaching Reading to American Indian/Alaska Native Students. ERIC DIGEST EDO-RC-01-10.
Reyhner, Jon, & Eder, Jeanne. (2004). American Indian Education: A History. Norman, OK: University of Oklahoma Press.
Weatherford, Jack. (1988). Indian Givers: How the Indians of the Americas Transformed the World. New York: Crown.
Periodicals
Journal of American Indian Education, Center for Indian Education, College of Education, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287-1311.
Tribal College: Journal of American Indian Higher Education. P.O. Box 720, Mancos, Colo. 81328.
Organizations
American Indian Science and Engineering Society, P.O. Box 9828 Albuquerque, NM 87119-9828. Has chapters in high schools and colleges to promote math and science achievement among American Indians. Publishes Winds of Change.
National Indian Education Association, 700 North Fairfax Street, Suite 210, Alexandria, VA 22314. Lobbies congress on behalf of Indian education and holds annual conferences with Indian education workshops. Has state affiliates.
Note
This paper is a 2006 update of the author's now out-of-print 1994 Phi Delta Kappa fastback #367 titled American Indian/Alaska Native Education.
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