🌎Intro to Native American Studies Unit 10 – Native American Education & Language Revival

Historical Context

• Prior to European contact, Native American tribes had their own traditional forms of education that were closely tied to their culture, language, and way of life
• European colonization and westward expansion led to the displacement and forced assimilation of Native American communities
• The U.S. government implemented policies aimed at eradicating Native American languages and cultures, believing that assimilation into mainstream society was necessary for their survival
• Early treaties between the U.S. government and Native American tribes often included provisions for education, but these were rarely fulfilled or were used as a tool for assimilation
• Missionaries played a significant role in early Native American education, establishing schools that focused on religious conversion and cultural assimilation

Federal Policies and Their Impact

• The Indian Civilization Act of 1819 provided funding for the establishment of schools to educate Native Americans in reading, writing, and agriculture
• The Indian Removal Act of 1830 forced the relocation of Native American tribes to designated areas west of the Mississippi River, disrupting traditional education systems and community structures
• The Dawes Act of 1887 (General Allotment Act) aimed to break up tribal lands into individual allotments, encouraging Native Americans to adopt European-American farming practices and lifestyles
  • This act led to the loss of millions of acres of tribal land and further erosion of traditional cultural practices and education
• The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Wheeler-Howard Act) aimed to reverse some of the assimilationist policies and restore tribal sovereignty, but its impact on education was limited
• The Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act of 1975 gave Native American tribes more control over their education programs and allowed for the establishment of tribally-controlled schools

Boarding School Era

• The boarding school era began in the late 19th century and lasted until the mid-20th century
• The goal of boarding schools was to assimilate Native American children into mainstream American society by removing them from their families, communities, and cultural influences
• Children were often forcibly taken from their homes and sent to boarding schools far from their reservations
• At boarding schools, children were prohibited from speaking their native languages, practicing their cultural traditions, or wearing traditional clothing
  • They were given European-American names, clothing, and hairstyles, and were taught English, Christianity, and vocational skills
• Boarding schools were known for their harsh discipline, poor living conditions, and abuse, which had lasting psychological and cultural impacts on Native American communities
• Some notable boarding schools include the Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Pennsylvania and the Haskell Institute in Kansas

Language Suppression and Loss

• Native American languages were systematically suppressed through federal policies and the boarding school system
• Children were punished for speaking their native languages, leading to a rapid decline in the number of fluent speakers
• The loss of language also meant the loss of cultural knowledge, as many Native American cultures relied on oral traditions to pass down history, stories, and teachings
• By the mid-20th century, many Native American languages were on the brink of extinction, with only a handful of elderly speakers remaining
• The suppression of Native American languages has been described as a form of cultural genocide, as it aimed to erase the distinct identities and histories of Native American communities

Contemporary Native American Education

• Today, Native American students have access to a variety of educational options, including public schools, tribal schools, and charter schools
• The Indian Education Act of 1972 provided funding for culturally-relevant education programs and the inclusion of Native American history and culture in school curricula
• Tribally-controlled colleges and universities (TCUs) were established to provide higher education opportunities that are grounded in Native American cultures and values
  • Examples of TCUs include Diné College in Arizona and Sitting Bull College in North Dakota
• Despite these advances, Native American students still face significant challenges, including lower high school graduation rates, lower college enrollment rates, and a lack of culturally-responsive education
• Many Native American communities are working to incorporate traditional knowledge and language into their education systems, recognizing the importance of cultural preservation and revitalization

Language Revival Efforts

• In recent decades, there has been a growing movement to revive and preserve Native American languages
• Language immersion programs have been established in many Native American communities, providing a way for children to learn their ancestral languages in a natural setting
  • Examples include the Navajo Nation's Diné Language Immersion Program and the Cherokee Nation's Cherokee Language Immersion School
• Language classes and workshops are also offered for adults who wish to learn or improve their proficiency in their native languages
• Technology has played a role in language revival efforts, with the development of language learning apps, online dictionaries, and digital archives of language materials
• Some Native American communities have also worked to create new words and phrases to describe modern concepts, ensuring that their languages remain relevant and adaptable

Challenges and Successes

• Language revival efforts face numerous challenges, including a lack of fluent speakers, limited resources, and the ongoing effects of historical trauma and discrimination
• Developing effective teaching materials and training language teachers can be difficult, especially for languages with few remaining speakers
• Some Native American communities have faced resistance or lack of interest from younger generations who may not see the value in learning their ancestral languages
• Despite these challenges, there have been many successes in language revival efforts
  • The Hawaiian language, for example, has experienced a significant resurgence through immersion schools and community-based programs
  • The Mohawk language has also seen a revival, with the establishment of the Akwesasne Freedom School and other immersion programs
• Language revival has been linked to improved mental health, academic success, and a stronger sense of cultural identity among Native American youth

Future Directions and Initiatives

• Native American communities continue to advocate for greater control over their education systems and the inclusion of culturally-relevant curricula
• There is a growing recognition of the importance of incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and Indigenous ways of knowing into education, particularly in fields such as environmental science and sustainability
• Efforts to digitize and archive Native American language materials are ongoing, ensuring that these resources are preserved for future generations
• Collaborations between Native American communities, educational institutions, and government agencies are essential for supporting language revival and culturally-responsive education
• Continued funding and resources are needed to support the development of immersion programs, teacher training, and the creation of educational materials in Native American languages
• Addressing the ongoing effects of historical trauma and discrimination in education is crucial for creating more equitable and inclusive learning environments for Native American students