The main part of the study examines literature concerning Native American education in the United States, with most studies pertaining to the Navajo tribe; however, Canadian studies are also included. The first section, following the introductory material, is an annotated bibliography of materials developed between 1955 and 1981 which address the…

This module presents a guide for the study of the Navajo Indians' life and customs as they existed about thirty years ago. The length of time necessary to complete the activities, which are designed for use in kindergarten through third grades, may vary from one to two weeks. The module includes language, science, mathematics, art, music, dramatic…

Understanding the way humans communicate linguistically helps to define what proficiency in a particular language is. The general problem is scholars' assumption that the implementation of technology in the language learning environment acts a substitute for the human dynamic in achieving language proficiency. The purpose of this quantitative…

Beginning in 2005, a five-year survey of cultural resources began to unfold in southeastern Utah along a prominent sandstone rock formation known as Comb Ridge. This visually dramatic monocline stretches a considerable distance from the southwestern corner of Blue Mountain (Abajos) in Utah to Kayenta, Arizona, approximately one hundred miles to…

Describes a small K-6 staff's restructuring plans for its predominantly Navajo student body. The case study, concerned with planning for nongraded classes, represents a lesson in how not to plan. Although some positive curricular changes have occurred, administrative leadership was perceived as ineffective, and staff neglected to plan for cultural…

Questionnaires completed by 83 Navajo college students were used to study effects of acculturation on attitudes of Navajo youth toward providing support and care for their elderly parents. Approximately two-thirds of the respondents--representing both high and low levels of acculturation--believed that children should provide financial support for…

This paper aims to reassess conclusions drawn in 1975 about the prospects for survival of the Navajo language. A study done at that time uncovered evidence that there was increasing knowledge of English among Navajo children, although knowledge of English was highly, positively correlated to the level of isolation from Navajo speakers. As a result…

The authors examined the relations between two socially oriented dimensions of student motivation and academic achievement of Native (Navajo) American and Anglo American students. Using confirmatory factor analysis, a multidimensional and hierarchical model was found to explain the relations between performance and social goals. Four first-order…

To improve the Navajo arts and skills, the teachers of Rough Rock Demonstration School developed this compilation of curriculum guidelines. The curricula for use at preschool, elementary, and secondary levels and include (1) English skills, (2) mathematics, (3) social studies, (4) Navajo language, and (5) science. The curricula are designed to (1)…

Purpose: Indigenous ("Diné") communities have long endured high rates of behavioral and mental health diseases like depression, drug and alcohol dependency, and suicide due to historical trauma and posttraumatic stress disorders. Western research methods used to address these issues have often failed to provide sufficient understanding…

Perhaps the most significant issue in the history of the Navajos is the tribe's success in maintaining its traditional culture while adapting to the massive pressures of Euramerican society. Few tribal groups have had to contend with as many and as diverse cultural and political competitors for as long a period of time as have the Navajos--Spain,…

After surveying the historical background and the development of Navajo education, the study investigates the socioeconomic characteristics, the educational status, the length of service, and the selection of Navajo Community School Board (NCSB) members for the federally operated schools on the Navajo Reservation. A 22 item questionnaire, designed…

From private to public, from small to large, campus protests and demonstrations have risen across the country to address institutional racism regarding a range of issues including offensive Halloween costumes, university/college seals, lack of faculty color, and racist vandalism. One such example occurred at Southwest University where Native…

Sixteen social studies teaching units for Navajo students in grades 5 through 8 are presented in this curriculum guide. Purpose of the guide is to promote the Navajo child's understanding of how he interacts with members of his nuclear and extended families, with peers and teachers within the school, with members of communities located in the…

Divided into three sections, this research bulletin presents: (1) a brief review of changes in the American Indian mortality and fertility rates, illustrating a transition process much like that experienced by developing nations; (2) an analysis of variations in the social and economic organization of different parts of the Navajo Reservation; (3)…