Authored by four American Indians, this handbook is concerned with topics directly related to the retention of Indian adult learners in the adult educational process. The topics are aimed at improved understanding of the tribal learner and improved adult educational programs. Topics include: (1) religion (approached from an educational viewpoint and with respect for the privacy of tribal people, this section details the general principles underlying American Indian beliefs and then briefly describes the religions/beliefs of a number of tribes in terms of ceremonies, rituals, place of observance, regalia, sacred instruments, etc.); (2) alcoholism (a description of the dimensions of the problem and its effect upon absenteeism and family/child neglect); (3) linguistics (recommendations for a specific language analysis that will facilitate the structuring of language arts programs); (4) Indian mental health problems (describes the mental health problems which impact on learning and describes the mental health services available to Indian populations). Maintaining that religion, health, alcohol, and language problems or related factors are mainly responsible for educational absenteeism, this handbook advocates adult education programs which recognize the impact of these factors and incorporate them in the educational process. Reading programs in adult education are cited, for example, as programs which could incorporate information on religion, alcoholism, health, and language. (JC)