An examination of the relevant literature reveals that "policy" means different things to different people. Among the concepts that emerge when these meanings are reviewed are that policies are intentional, decision-based, goal-oriented, and conditional; they lead to results, balance facts and values, and allocate resources; and they…

Supports the conversion of federal schools to band controlled schools, arguing that education patterns of federal schools are either inadequate or unsuitable to provide the education Indian students need. Outlines development of Indian education from 1600-1933, provides rationale for Indian control, and discusses four problems with band control.…

Synthesizes 30 selections by community education theorists to explore Native and European concepts of community and to develop a model of Native community schools. Describes community school features: community-based research and curriculum, extracommunity awareness, proactive problem solving, educational activism to meet local needs,…

Discusses goals of parent involvement and suggests effective strategies to involve parents and school officials in the education of Indian and Metis children. Covers current avenues for parent participation that schools provide as well as recent reform-oriented approaches that originate with native groups. (JHZ)

Indian-controlled education programs may be evaluated by involving community members/leaders; administrators/teachers/students; federal-provincial education officers. The advantages include heightening community awareness of strengths/weaknesses in education programs, allowing community control over nature/duration of evaluation, providing ongoing…

Argues for local control of education by Native Canadians. Position based on benefits of parent responsibility, rather than on criticism of Canadian Indian policy or treaties. Examines Indian education history, noting positive examples of Native communities taking educational responsibility. Concludes local control makes good educational policy.…

Modified school years in First Nation schools contextualize the learning process by allowing student participation in traditional, seasonal, outdoor activities. Two case studies in which Hudson Bay area school officials unilaterally reintroduced the conventional calendar illustrate the important roles that First Nations education authorities can…

Describes a structured-experiences workshop in which members of the Upper Nicola Band (Okanagan) defined Indian control of Indian education for their own community, and formulated their educational philosophy, goals, and action plans. Provides background on Canadian federal educational policies and the history of education for the Upper Nicola.…

Discusses changes in education of Indian children in Alberta and Canada resulting from mobilization of Indian parents against integration of Indian children into public school systems. Changes include Indian control of local schools and parent involvement in school policies. Points out benefits of parent participation to schools, parents, and…

More than a century of centralized government and church control of Aboriginal education in Canada, aimed primarily at cultural assimilation, resulted in injustices, widespread inequalities, and underdevelopment. In the 1970s, after much political wrangling, the Canadian federal government and the First Nations agreed upon a policy of Indian…

Effective strategies for assisting Canadian Native communities to develop school boards included encouraging an unhurried adaptive learning process, providing guidance to achieve consensus, and allowing for an incubation period. Impediments to development included community members' avoidance of leadership roles, cross-cultural misunderstandings,…

Argues that Canadian Indians should establish their own universities and exert complete control over them. Compares higher education in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria, using Saudi Arabia as an example of a country that managed to reap the benefits of Western educational expertise without sacrificing its own culture and values. (JHZ)

A unique choice to assume local control of schooling is now available to Canadian Indians. This description of the beginning of one such undertaking illustrates how the unanticipated emergence of pervasive role shock inhibits the expected positive results from autonomous local control of schooling. (Author)

Traces trends in Aboriginal education in Northwest Territories (Canada) since the early 1980s when the territorial department of education committed itself to locally controlled, culture-based education. Examines local accountability, culturally relevant curriculum, role of elders, native language instruction, Aboriginal teacher education, dropout…

In 1988 Norway House Indian Band in Manitoba, Canada, will assume control of education for its young people, a move which is supported by 80% of its adult members. With an immediate enrollment of 800 students and predicted growth in enrollments, the Band has the potential to develop a high quality educational program at reasonable cost. The Band…