In theory Arizona Indian tribes can be represented by five major cultural groups: Athapascan, Pueblo, Yuman, Plateau Rancheria, and Desert Rancheria tribes. Each of these tribes has its own distinctive way of life or culture. They do not want to lose their cultural identity, nor do they want to become "like Anglos". They "do" want to pass on to posterity their heritage, their lands, their past and the ability to get along in both worlds--the Anglo world and the Indian world. Therefore, an educator must have some understanding of the lifestyle, religion, historical background, and the political, economic and social conditions of those living within the area served by his school. The educator should know that the economic and political emphases in the Southwest center about two major areas--water, land and mineral rights, and the sovereignty of the reservations. He should also know that the social conditions of Native Americans in the Southwest are strongly affected by stereotypes which have persisted since the pioneer days. This paper discusses the history of Arizona Indians, the current litigation between various tribes and various levels of government, political and economic conditions, the "integrity" of tribal officials, the Navajo-Hopi joint-use land dispute, the controversial Central Arizona Project, the water allocations disputes, the problems found in Indian education, the social conditions, and the current Indian educational conditions. (NQ)