First AmericansNATIVE AMERICANS

CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS

THE AMERICAN HOLOCOST

EDUCATIONAL ACHEIVEMENT GAPS MASCOTS

TEACHING OUR STUDENTS

CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS

CULTURAL PERCEPTIONS

The American Holocaust

The American Holocaust

EDUCATION GAPS

Race Associates Degree

Bachelor's Degree

Master's Degree

First Professional Degree

Whites 9.3% 21.1% 8.4% 3.1 %Blacks 8.9% 13.6% 4.9% 1.3 %Hispanics 6.1% 9.4% 2.9% 1.0%Asians 6.9% 31.6% 14.0% 6.4%American Indians/Alaska Natives 8.4% 9.8% 3.6% 1.4%

Status and Trends in the Education of Racial and Ethnic Groups (Source: United States Department of Education - 2008) 3

EDUCATION GAPS

White educators have underestimated the importance of culture in the learning process.

Rather than validate non-traditional ways of thinking, knowing, and behaving, these students have been labeled as deficient.

Historically, education was used as a method of indoctrinating Native American children and undermining their own language, religion, and culture.

Native Americans students become invisible and silenced because of these attitudes.

MASCOTS

SO….

IS THERE A ROLE IN EDUCATION TO ENHANCE CULTURAL UNDERSTANDING OF NATIVE AMERICANS?

CAN WE MAKE A DIFFERENCE?