This study was undertaken to assess and describe a unique aspect of liberal studies in the curricular of American Indian community colleges. The emergent curricula genre, designated as tribal studies, deals with subjects specific to the ethos of a particular tribal group and is derived from the indigenous culture of the tribe or nation involved. Data were obtained from Indian college practitioners and from organic documents of seventeen tribally-chartered institutions located in seven states. Research questions were formulated to address (1) the nature and status of tribal studies curricula, (2) principal problems and issues, (3) curricular innovations, (4) current trends, (5) the incorporation of tribal ethos in formal academic programs, and (6) attendant research needs. The findings were derived from a descriptive analysis of the data with respect to each research question. Tribal studies curricula were found to be in a formative stage on certain theoretical and normative levels. Innovations were perceived as such owing mainly to their introductory and contextual application rather than any particularly unique methods or approach outside of existing curriculum development practices. The lack of an applicable taxonomic program classification structure hindered the systematic examination of tribal studies curricula, but it was evident that the current trend is toward the teaching of courses dealing with the history, language, philosophy, and literature of a particular tribe. The data indicated very strong support among those surveyed for the idea of inculcating tribal ethos into curricular programs, but the process by which this is done was not clearly articulated. Two principal problems emerged (1) the accreditation of tribal studies, and (2) the dearth of applicable curriculum development research activities. While such curricula have strong philosophical and emotional appeal among Indian college professionals, tribal studies remain somewhat underdeveloped compared with other academic programs. Inasmuch as the academic dimension of the tribal sociocultural milieu was not well elucidated in the data, the specifically Indian, or tribal, content of such curricula eluded precise definition. Tribal studies represent meaning and significance to Indian college practitioners in their own environments, but their evolving role with respect to the cultural/educational processes occurring in contemporary Indian life is subject to further exploration.

The educational disadvantages of the Native American Indian student throughout history has been a source of academic concern. This paper addresses the historical and contemporary aspects of Indian education. The contemporary context of the study examines the efficacy and impact of preservice instruction of a Native American Indian Studies course on the teachers in North Dakota. One thousand, three hundred and sixty-nine (1,369) teachers receiving instruction in the course from 1981 through 1988 were surveyed. The survey focused on five key areas: teacher attitudes about the course, planning and use of the course in the classroom, application of the course to multicultural education and application of Native American values and learning styles. The findings suggest that the course is not having a positive effect on the attitudes of heightening teacher sensitivity toward stereotypes and there is an apparent indifference to adjusting curricula to reflect cultural diversity.

No description available.

In the field of Native social work education, the concept of "culturally relevant education" is poorly defined despite increasing student enrollment and development of programs. This study employed a qualitative approach to explore with twelve students, enrolled in a B.S.W. program at a Native college in Merritt, B.C., their experiences and meanings of this concept. In-depth interviews and a focus group were conducted; data were transcribed and analyzed, using grounded theory and narrative analysis, to generate concepts, elements, and themes. Four interactive themes emerged, that when taken together, tell a story of what "culturally relevant education" meant to these Native students: the four themes were Learning What It Is To Be Indian; Healing Residual Personal and Cultural Issues; Integrating the Two Worlds, Aboriginal and White; and, Becoming the Teacher. The principle finding was that students made cultural relevance for themselves. Various elements, such as Indian Studies courses and Native instructors, seemed to support students making cultural relevance. This study indicates that making cultural relevance was highly individualistic and situation-specific, and required competence in mainstream culture and a First Nation's culture. Educators, programs, and institutions can, and should, help students access the necessary elements. The main criterion for determining such elements should be the extent to which they strengthen student's Aboriginal self- identity and worth: it seems that strong Aboriginal self-identity and worth is what supported the student's ability to make cultural relevance. Further research into the phenomenon of making cultural relevance is indicated.

In the field of Native social work education, the concept of "culturally relevant education" is poorly defined despite increasing student enrollment and development of programs. This study employed a qualitative approach to explore with twelve students, enrolled in a B.S.W. program at a Native college in Merritt, B.C., their experiences and meanings of this concept. In-depth interviews and a focus group were conducted; data were transcribed and analyzed, using grounded theory and narrative analysis, to generate concepts, elements, and themes. Four interactive themes emerged, that when taken together, tell a story of what "culturally relevant education" meant to these Native students: the four themes were Learning What It Is To Be Indian; Healing Residual Personal and Cultural Issues; Integrating the Two Worlds, Aboriginal and White; and, Becoming the Teacher. The principle finding was that students made cultural relevance for themselves. Various elements, such as Indian Studies courses and Native instructors, seemed to support students making cultural relevance. This study indicates that making cultural relevance was highly individualistic and situation-specific, and required competence in mainstream culture and a First Nation's culture. Educators, programs, and institutions can, and should, help students access the necessary elements. The main criterion for determining such elements should be the extent to which they strengthen student's Aboriginal self- identity and worth: it seems that strong Aboriginal self-identity and worth is what supported the student's ability to make cultural relevance. Further research into the phenomenon of making cultural relevance is indicated. / Arts, Faculty of / Social Work, School of / Graduate

No description available.

The purpose of this study was to develop a whole language curriculum for limited English proficient, nonreading Native American adult factory workers. The curriculum was based upon a humanistic view of the adult literacy process. Cognitive and psycholinguistic theories of learning were used as the theoretical foundation for the curriculum. Schema theory was presented as part of a reader-centered, psycholinguistic processing model of English as a Second Language reading. The curriculum was developed as it was implemented, with adult learners in the workplace setting. The study documented the process of development and implementation during a six month time period and the impact of this process upon the learners involved. The curriculum content consisted of three strands: (1) Culture Strand, (2) Family Life Strand, and (3) Workplace Literacy Strand. The instructional strategies implemented within each strand represented an integrated or whole language approach. Strategies used repeatedly throughout the curriculum were Assisted Reading (Hoskisson, 1975) and the Language Experience Approach (Stauffer, l970). The learners were assessed at the beginning and throughout the implementation of the curriculum with informal measures to determine: (1) recognition of sight words within the industry, (2) prereading competencies, and (3) English language proficiency. Assessment measures indicated that the learners progressed in these areas, as well as in areas covered by the three curriculum strands. Each learner read and wrote materials that were specific to the strands developed. The type of progress made differed for each learner, depending upon background knowledge, experiences, and interests. The impact of the curriculum upon the learners went beyond an increase in reading and writing skills. The process was empowering and liberating to the learners as they recognized the value of their own culture and experiences and as they became increasingly independent on their jobs. Self-confidence increased as they learned to read and complete necessary work forms and reports. / Ed. D.

This qualitative storytelling and exploratory research design investigated the barriers, enhancers, and coping strategies to education experienced by adult Native American Indians from various Native American Indian Nations. In addition, differences between the sexes, Native American Nations, and/or languages spoken, and/or participation in cultural activities regarding barriers, enhancers, and coping strategies of Native American Indians were examined. The study with 23 adult Native American participants revealed a main theme of identity both passive and aggressive that permeated all of the thematic areas: barriers, enhancers, and coping strategies. The barriers ranged from reinventing the Native American Indian to language barriers caused by forcing Native American Indians to speak Eurowestern languages in order to survive. The educational enhancers themes described by the participants revolved around themes of people, culture, community, and the environment. Elements of Garrison' s Model (1997) on self-directed learning emerged in this study under the thematic area of coping strategies. Self-directedness was evident in the coping strategies; which included self-management (control by acknowledging the social environment in which the participants were interacting), cognitive responsibility (self-examination), and motivation (assuming personal responsibility). The role of a Native American Indian as a researcher was noted in enhancing the depth and breadth of the research. / The examination of the differences between the sexes, Native American Nations, and/or languages spoken, and/or participation in cultural activities revealed: (a) one male and five females participants described sexism as a barrier; (b) no participant expressed particular barriers with regards to the Native American Nation in which they belonged to; (c) a majority of participants expressed that language was a barrier in one form or another; (d) participants described barriers to Native American Indian cultural participation as thoughts and feelings of being "lost" and "not belonging," which is evident in identity crisis or identity diffusion. / by Enid Conley. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2008. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, FL : 2008 Mode of access: World Wide Web.

The purpose of this thesis is to study the relationship between educational attitudes and certain background features of Native Americans, in particular, where they were raised and what type of school they attended. The sample used consisted of 120 completed mail out-mail back surveys that were used primarily as a Needs Assessment for the Portland Indian Health clinic. The sample was randomly selected from the Portland Indian Health Clinic client/patient mailing list. The findings of this thesis indicate that the attitudes of Native Americans toward education in general are positive. The findings also indicate that older Native Americans who experienced being sent to a B.I.A. boarding school off the reservation have the least positive attitudes towards Indian Education programs. Implications and recommendation for further research are discussed.

No description available.