Discusses the rationale for tribal colleges creating their own accreditation standards. Indicates that although contemporary standards are generally tolerable, tribal colleges are evaluated against standards and expectations foreign to tribal environments and needs. Suggests that spirituality, social systems, governance, economics, language, and…

Provides an interview with Dr. Patricia Thrash, the executive director of the Commission on Institutions of Higher Education at the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Describes recent changes in accreditation and special concerns raised by the unique service population of tribal colleges. (MAB)

Examines the history, current status, and future role in higher education of the nation's 26 tribal colleges. Indicates that they meet the unique educational needs of reservation-based Native Americans better than other higher education institutions. Suggests that tribal colleges should work with other institutions to improve educational quality.…

Discusses how the interrelationship and growth emphasized by the Native American sweat lodge ceremony and "the talking circle" can provide a richer understanding of group counseling. Details each ceremony and explores the implications of practices that are based on cultural traditions, arguing that such traditions can enrich the group…

Among 42 secondary students from the Lil'wat Nation, students attending a tribally controlled school perceived that their parents and favorite teacher held educational aspirations for them that were significantly higher than those perceived by public school students. significant differences in self-concept were found. Contains 25 references. (SV)

Explores the reactions of fourth and seventh grade students to two picture books about Columbus written from two different perspectives (white European explorer and Native American). Notes that the fourth graders saw Columbus as either all good or all bad after reading the books but that seventh graders were able to recognize the complexities of…

Discusses rapid changes in use of computers and related technologies in colleges and universities; the impact of current inequities in precollege access and use of computers experienced by African-American, Hispanic, and American Indian students; and strategies and recommendations to enhance the computer competence of minority students in colleges…

Surveyed 13,454 rural Native American adolescents. Found 2 percent reported poor physical health and high rates of health-compromising behaviors, which were significantly correlated with physical or sexual abuse, suicide attempts, substance abuse, poor school performance, and poor nutrition. Academic risk was strongly associated with physical,…

A survey of 48 parents of young children in rural Native communities in Ontario examined children's play activities at home; reasons for utilizing the community day care center; and parent attitudes about play, cultural education, the value of the center to the community, and educational activities at the center. (SV)

Describes Saskatchewan Indian Federated College's preprofessional, university-level science program and its focus on building math and science skills and on Indian culture, traditional medicine, current and future health care needs, and the goals of Indian people. Reports departmentwide enrollment increases. (DMM)

The article presents a Native American tale about the moon that teachers can use to open the door to scientific exploration. After discussing facts about the moon, the article offers a reproducible Navajo story and several follow-up hands-on activities designed to pique students' interest. (SM)

The author discusses how she learned to accept the differences in approaches to living and learning among herself, her mother, and her daughters. She achieved this by drawing on her own learning experiences, spirituality, and experience in teaching her adopted Native American daughter to read. (LP)

Canadian Inuit and Mohawk indigenous schools illustrate the meeting of formal and traditional education models and suggest the dangers in oversimplified "learning style" dichotomies. The western cultural package of standard literacy practice, schooling, and abstract thought is challenged. (Contains 46 references.) (Author/LB)

Presents the first diagnosis of multilingualism in Mexico. The study examines the role scientific societies played in delineating the basis of language policy with the objective of constructing a national identity that embraced the Hispanic and Amerindian traditions as equally relevant. (31 references) (Author/CK)

Discusses the role of white and Indian women in the history of the U.S. western frontier and lists 35 print and video resources for middle schools and secondary schools. Topics addressed include the omission of women's experiences in history; documents on the female experience; using video effectively; and developing the curriculum. (10…