Relates some of the author's experiences while teaching on the Pine Ridge (South Dakota) Sioux Reservation, showing how learning barriers can be broken with a little understanding between teacher and students. (JT)

American Indians present an interesting case of ethnic variation in economic dependency because they have developed a special relationship with the Federal government. The historical complexity of Federal-Indian relations affects present policies of public assistance and child welfare for American Indians. (Author/RLV)

Describes the planning, implementation, and outcome of an experimental social and legal aid outreach program run by American Indian paraprofessionals for native Americans in Seattle, Washington. Describes paraprofessional training, outreach methods, average clients, and sample cases. Demonstrates how minority people without extensive formal…

An historical perspective helps clarify confusion surrounding varying definitions of the term "Metis" ("half breed"). Available from Canadian Plains Research Center, University of Regina, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada, S4S 0A2; $10.00 annually. (SB)

Argues that the shifting urban American Indian organizational scene is elicited by outside factors that make organizations dependent on city, state, and federal bodies. Implications of the distinction between policy and politics for explaining ethnic group activity are discussed in relation to the American Indian Women's Service League. (Author/GC)

Adoption of the Behavior Analysis Model by the Northern Cheyenne Tribe led to dramatic gains for Native Americans in (1) frequency and percent of decision making at Policy Advisory Committee meetings and (2) school board membership. The effect of this involvement is discussed in terms of quality control. (DS)

The annotated bibliography of 21 books dealing with the lives and experiences of women who have lived in wilderness America focuses on women living outside urban society who have depended on their own and the environment's resources for survival. Includes a special section of books for young people. (SB)

Maintains that Thanksgiving observances in schools often reinforce an Anglo-centric and superficial view of American history, and offers suggestions for alternative approaches directed toward challenging popular misconceptions about Thanksgiving and enhancing children's social awareness. (CM)

The essay reviews and clarifies many opposing opinions regarding the American Indian as "natural ecologist" and broadly classifies the sources of those opinions as either "skeptics" or "romantics". Traditional Indian cultures had a more ecologically conscious world view than that of Western culture. (SB)

The predictive validity of WISC-R factor scores was examined with samples from the four sociocultural groups of Anglo, Black, Chicano, and native American Papago. The full scale IQ and verbal comprehension (VC) factor scores were significantly better predictors of achievement as measured by teacher ratings and the Metropolitan Achievement Test.…

Criticizes the assertion that Native Americans have special and nearly unsolvable problems because of the conflict between their traditional cultures and the requirements of city life. Determines the extent to which the Native American urban experience is due to their culture as opposed to the stresses of the urban environment. (JM)

Canada's community Health Representative Program trains Indians to act as teachers, organizers, promotors, and liaisons in health education among their own people. (MB)

Reviews recent publications criticizing the idea that the intellectual development of U.S. democracy was influenced by the political organization of the Iroquois Confederacy. Points out the authors' ignorance of relevant historical texts and their efforts to relate the idea to the "culture wars" over multicultural education. Suggests a…

Describes ongoing conflicts between researchers and Native American communities, especially between the rights of scientific research and those of Native American tribes over their cultural heritage. Presents steps that several tribes have taken to ensure their intellectual property rights. Discusses key elements for developing sound research…

The Nez Perce council, NASA, and the University of Idaho initiated a program that enables Native American students to identify and correspond with Native American professionals in aeronautical careers who are willing to mentor these students. The goal is to move academia and academic programs into the realm of Native American identity, ideology,…