The purpose of this book is to provide insights into effective teaching of Native American students in our schools.

American Indian Education/indigenous education is still faltering today and is not producing significant differences in results where school practices follow those for the dominant culture. Inroads have been made in some classrooms/schools where Culturally Responsive/Relevant Pedagogy (CRP) is practiced. However, the drop-out rates for American Indian/indigenous populations are still extremely high in comparison to other ethnically diverse groups of students.

here are two factors that can make or break indigenous students’ abilities to be resilient in the face of many educational negatives in their lives and enable them to continue on to graduate from high school and in many instances, go on to complete undergraduate and graduate degrees in institutions of higher learning.

This book is intended to be used for undergraduate and graduate students in education, anthropology, sociology, and American Indian studies. It is also intended for use by educators working in areas with large concentrations of American Indian students, whether in rural, rural reservation, urban, or states with large Native populations, such as California and Oklahoma. It is a useful tool for policy makers and those involved in American Indian education at the national and state levels, as well as organizations such as the Nation Council on American Indians, the U.S. Bureau of Indian Affairs, and the National Indian Education Association.

Dedication

List of Tables and Figures

About the Title

Foreword

Preface

Acknowledgements

Introduction to the Book

Part I

Chapter 1: Unraveling the Puzzle of How Humans Came to Be

Chapter 2: Humans’ Continuing Development and the Americas

Chapter 3: Who Were These Europeans?

Chapter 4: The Clash of Cultures and Doctrine of Discovery: the Rise of Racism in the Americas

Part II: Past and Present Education of Indigenous Students in this Country

Chapter 5: Racism, Stereotypes, and Education for Assimilation

Chapter 6: Twentieth Century Change and Rising Native Voices

Chapter 7: Indigenous Families, Communities, and Ways of Learning—The Heart of Resiliency for Native Students

Part III: Designing Schools in Partnership: Educators, Schools, and Native and Non-Native Communities

Chapter 8: Creating Resilient Students: Secrets to Success for Native American Children

Chapter 9: Educational Collaborations with Native American Communities

Chapter 10: Celebrations: Shared Success is Success for All

Appendix A

Appendix B

Index