This special newspaper edition is a collection of articles based on a journalist's interviews with American Indian educators in urban public schools, Bureau of Indian Affairs schools, and tribally controlled school districts. The introduction, entitled "The High Cost of Endurance" outlines the high risk status of Native American children, discusses the diversity of American Indian tribes and American Indian education, and suggests that American Indian education must focus on survival. "Education: The First Condition" reviews the history of American Indian education since the white man's arrival and describes current trends and issues in the Federal Government-Indian relationship. "From 'No Power' to Local Power?" discusses the issue of Indian control over Indian children's public school education; cites recent court cases involving discriminatory hiring of teachers, unfair treatment of Indian students, and violations of voting rights in school board elections; describes the success story of the tribally controlled Zuni Public Schools; and examines the problems of inexperienced tribal governments, low priority of Indian programs at the state level, and dwindling federal funding. "Indian People Just Want To Be Themselves" outlines Indian educators' struggle to devise an instructional model that meets both the academic and cultural needs of Indian students; describes opposition to bicultural education in some Indian communities; and discusses bilingual education, American Indian learning styles, and traditional teaching methods. (SV)