Helping Native youth find success in schools

Should there be a special focus on helping Native American students find success in school? Isn't the quality of education the same for all children regardless of ethnicity? Why a special focus? Before we answer these questions, let's take a walk back in history.

Let me first say that Native Americans have always been educated. Their parents and elders taught children those skills they needed to live happily within their culture. The education was diverse, sophisticated and challenging. So to infer that Native children are or were lacking in "education" is an injustice. When confronted with other cultures, other kinds of skills are needed. If you have ever lived for a period of time in another culture, you know what I am talking about. The white culture, obviously, was not part of the Native culture years ago—enter Carlisle Indian School.

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