There’s a long history of U.S. schools failing Indigenous peoples, cultures and histories. In this story, Native parents and educators share examples of how educators and schools still get it wrong—and the steps they can take to fix their mistakes.
It’s no secret that American Indians have been subjected to educational policies and practices intended to assimilate us into the dominant culture. Over centuries, these practices have destroyed and eradicated many Indigenous languages and endangered the overall health and well-being of American Indian peoples and communities. In spite of these atrocities, we remain a strong and resilient people. We represent more than 600 state and federally recognized tribes, each with their own unique culture and many with their Indigenous languages still intact.
The first reminder is that schools need to find ways to partner and collaborate with the families of Native students. To facilitate this process, schools must ask: How can we best support American Indian families in advocating for their children and in supporting their children in exercising their own voice? What can be done to create more welcoming and affirming schools for American Indian parents and families and their children?
The second reminder: Children benefit when their families convey expectations to their schools. Moreover, when these expectations are not met, families have an obligation to speak out and schools have an obligation to respond.
When American Indian parents and families speak out against culturally inappropriate practices and educators are open to the possibility of new ways of teaching, it benefits not only American Indian students but their peers as well. Professional development and training can help educators adopt culturally relevant practices, but—beyond changing the way we teach—this process also requires attitudinal change. One of the easiest ways to change attitudes is to get to know the families we serve, particularly those whose culture(s) may be different than our own. When educators take the time to do this, they find that American Indian families want what all families want: for (in the words of Dr. Debbie Reese [Nambe Pueblo]) “the air [our children] breathe, and the books that [they] read to nurture [them], not hurt them.” We want the schools American Indian children attend and the lessons they learn to nurture and honor them.
To read more of Susan C. Faircloth's article, please click here.
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