Discusses the reforms that must be made in researching Native American communities, and the importance of tribal college research in redefining the foundations of scholarship. Emphasizes the need for humility, generosity, and respect among native and nonnative scholars when studying American Indian communities. (YKH)

Discusses the issue of language ecology, focusing on Polish language maintenance in Victoria, Australia, and reports on a study conducted with Polish students at a Saturday language school. Results indicate that the longer the period of residence in Australia, the less students use Polish. (25 references) (Author/CK)

Examines the significance that female ethnic groups in Miami, Florida (Cuban, Nicaraguan, and Haitian) attach to heritage culture and language maintenance. Considers also the views of key majority groups (black women and white women). Reveals a consensus regarding cultural and language maintenance in the home while accepting English in the public…

The Navajo Nation Ford Teacher Education Program was implemented in 1991 to increase the number of Navajo teachers in reservation schools. Under the program, participants study part-time at participating colleges and receive tuition assistance as well as a $250 stipend per term. Since 1991, the program has graduated 199 students. (LP)

This article traces historical attempts to form a comprehensive child mental health policy in the United States and discusses the latest unsuccessful attempts at the creation of such a policy through the managed behavioral healthcare revolution and the Child and Adolescent Service System Program and Child Mental Health Services initiative.…

Suggests how insights from Paul Bohannon's book, "How Culture Works" (1995), could be used to address such questions as, "How do deaf people learn their culture?" and "How do deaf children learn (what) culture?" Bohannon's idea of cultural dynamics is applied to deaf culture to trace how that culture evolved, how it…

Describes the development of the Inuit Broadcasting Corporation (IBC) in response to a perceived threat by English language television to the Inuit culture and use of the Inuktitut language. Political issues are discussed; programing is described, including educational children's programs; and the use of technology to preserve cultural values is…

Interviews at Salish Kootenai College (SKC) evaluating the role of technology in the future of Native American education found general agreement that the strengths of technology should be used, within social limits. Reviews mainstream writers' evaluations of technology's impacts on society. Describes different concepts held by SKC and mainstream…

Reviews the history of the Yaqui, first in Mexico, and then in Guadalupe (Arizona). Discusses the use of Yaqui, Spanish, and English within the community; community legal action against the school district over disproportionate special-education placements; resistance to school desegregation; a trilingual community school; and internal and…

A White Mountain Apache (WMA) doctoral student collaborating with a non-Indian linguist on a grammar book project discusses the status of the WMA language; causes of WMA language shift; aspects of insider-outsider collaboration; implications for revitalization and maintenance of indigenous languages; and the responsibilities of individuals,…

This study of 12 parents of preschool children with disabilities trained parents to implement responsive interaction and examined the effects on their child's language and communication skills. Findings indicated an improvement in and maintenance of communication and language skills of the children. Parents were satisfied with their participation…

Describes effective substance abuse prevention programs created by American Indians that combine cultural components with other proven prevention strategies. Components of successful cultural interventions are family, not school, administration; a focus on peer clusters rather than individuals or entire peer groups; incorporation of spirituality,…

This two-stage study measured the bilingual proficiency of Hispanic students using a language dominance/proficiency test to determine rural/urban residence, active language use, socioeconomic stratification, and language attitudes. Results indicated that rural males were more proficient in the minority language, whereas females were the precursors…

Advocates change within the Indian-controlled schools from a mainstream, European-American education system, to a culturally relevant curricula that involves instruction of native languages and heritage. Lists schools that can serve as models for educational change, asserting that knowledge of one's native culture will allow for mainstream…

In the process of language shift from the immigrant languages to English, everyday communication within the family can become increasingly problematic due to strong divergences in the linguistic competences of the older and the younger generations. This article explores the process of language mediation between different generations, as it occurs…