In this paper, the author talks about some of the issues of the beginnings of Native and Indigenous studies and suggests that one looks more precisely at what people mean when they talk about those beginnings. The author is not a big fan of Native people emerging vaguely from the mists of time, but he is always tracing a history of Native studies…

Debra Magpie Earling, author of the 2002 novel "Perma Red," does not appear as a named character in her text, which has been designated as a work of fiction. Eighteen years in the making, "Perma Red" is an intricate, intimate expression of self-life narration that is Earling's act of publicly honoring the Aunt Louise she never…

Presents an overview of aging among Native Americans from past and present perspectives, noting implications for health educators developing health education programs. Native Americans make it clear that individual performance is not dependent upon chronological age. Instead, the individual's ability to function and contribute serves as the…

This literature-based review examines characteristics of American Indians, difficulties and techniques in accurately identifying gifted American Indian students, and programming options. Emphasized is the need to formulate and implement a concrete plan of action for appropriately serving gifted American Indians while preserving their cultural and…

Beatrice Medicine, Professor Emerita from California State University, suggests that a higher education program for Native Americans should integrate the knowledge and wisdom of elders as well as address the different cultural values and spirituality of Native American students. The challenge is to prepare Native students to live and work in the…

In light of the articles in this issue, this article discusses the role that language planning plays in the building of communities and nations, focusing on American Indian language and bilingual education. Also examined is the impact of the Native American Languages Act on the maintenance of indigenous language and cultural resources. (four…

Presents a multicultural framework describing three basic lifestyles of different ethnic groups: cultural assimilation, cultural pluralism, and cultural separation. Supported by Extension experience with Blacks, Hispanics, American Indians, and Asians, the framework may be used to increase effectiveness of Extension programs and practices with…

Discusses the 13 papers in this special issue on American Indian and Alaska Native language education and literacy, the object of which is to critically examine the relationship of pedagogical change to larger sociopolitical and cultural processes affecting native language, bilingual, and bicultural programs. (three references) (MDM)

Focusing on the physical well-being and personal environment of the Indian elderly, the conference attracted 3,000 persons from 209 Indian tribes. Its program was organized into: (1) description of existing resources serving elderly Indians; (2) determination of the additional or remedial action required; and (3) identification of methodology for…

On the Northern Cheyenne Reservation--where the alcoholism rate for Cheyenne persons 14 years and older is approximately 80%--there are numerous resources available to the recovering alcoholic, but children in alcoholic families are sometimes forgotten. There is a need for preventive programs to insure that today's children do not become the next…

This report examines various vocational rehabilitation models that serve American Indians and Alaska Natives with disabilities, with examples and case studies to demonstrate how the models work in real client-counselor situations. Stressed throughout is the importance of issues of cultural diversity, cultural competency, and self-determination.…