Educators are challenged to develop specialized programs to serve the varied cultural norms, beliefs, and values espoused by different Native American tribes. To counter bureaucratic pressures toward uniformity, individual schools must foster development of shared school-community culture. To assist at-risk students, schools and communities must…

Passage of the Tribally Controlled Community College Assistance Act of 1978 is examined via document reviews and interviews with constituent representatives. Findings highlight the remarkable unity of purpose exhibited by the tribal colleges throughout this process, including the initial proposal to Congress in 1974, debates over tribal control in…

The National Science Foundation funds a two-year course in environmental resources management at Northwest Indian College on the Lummi Reservation (Washington). The course emphasizes co-articulation of tribal and Western knowledge, a non-abandonment policy toward students, an interdisciplinary approach, and developmental education that begins at…

A program for Canadian middle school students addressed bias, specifically bias toward First Nations people, through the arts. Students progressed through an antibias continuum containing four stages: no awareness of bias, awareness of bias, political correctness, and transfer to personal life. A survey of 123 students attributed program success…

Examines how a discipline-based approach to multicultural art augments multicultural education. Focuses on Native American arts. Illustrates how symbols, colors, natural materials, and methods differ among tribes. Suggests teaching activities, including focusing on a particular artist to raise specific questions about specific symbols. Profiles…

Analysis of an exemplary lesson by a Yupik first grade teacher reveals that the teacher contextualized the lesson by choosing a cultural activity, using an interactional style of teacher demonstration and student observation and demonstration, and emphasizing the importance of the activity to community and kin. Contains 27 references. (SV)

Discusses themes and characteristics of multicultural children's literature that promote understanding of cultural groups and other forms of diversity. The bibliography, which is organized by subject area, lists 58 works for children and young adults and 47 professional books and articles. Publishers of multicultural children's books and of…

An Oregon court case in which American Indians disputed a state law against use of peyote for ritual practices is reviewed, and its implications for free exercise of religion on college campuses are examined. In this context, the impact of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 is also considered. (MSE)

A discussion of U.S. language policy formation and planning covers the following: the literacy crisis, education of language minority populations, "official" English movement, gender neutrality, federal legislation, and emerging issues such as the status of Puerto Rico, American Indian languages, foreign language education, and the…

A review of research on prevention of alcohol abuse among American Indians found that they experience many alcohol-related health problems. Indians have earlier age of first involvement with alcohol, more frequent drinking, and more negative consequences than non-Indians. Prevention programs must consider American Indian heterogeneity and cultural…

Judy Gobert (Blackfeet/Salish) struggled with racism and sexual abuse in childhood and with substance abuse and family violence in adulthood. Traditional spirituality, belief in education, and support groups have helped her to heal herself and create a better life for her children and herself. Describes her doctoral research on drug-resistant…

Young children from five ethnic groups completed surveys about self-concept, self-esteem, racial awareness, and knowledge of racial terms, attitudes, and preference. Anglo-American children had a viable self-concept. Most children were highly aware of distinct ethnic differences and liked all colors. Most minority children chose friends outside…

To assess possible differences in psychosocial development between African American, American Indian, Mexican American, and white American male and female adolescents, 123 adolescents in grades 10 through 12 were compared for identity, sex role orientation, and locus of control. Some ethnic differences were found, but there were more similarities.…

A Department of Education report notes gains in college enrollment by Native Americans (10.8 percent), Asian and Pacific Islanders (11.7 percent), African Americans (8.2 percent), Hispanics (11.5 percent), foreign students (10 percent), and white non-Hispanic students (3.8 percent). College-going rates, however, remained stable for African…

Bloomfield College (New Jersey) and St. Norbert College (Wisconsin), both small, church-related liberal arts colleges, have supported diversity through organizational change, one with a degree and certification program for a specific Native American population, the other with a collegewide effort for faculty development, inclusive curriculum,…