Asserts that stereotypes about Native Americans may override more accurate information presented by teachers or found in textbooks. Recommends the use of children's literature to achieve recognized social studies goals. Includes a lesson plan with three tables, teaching instructions, and suggested children's literature. (CFR)

Recent literature in the field of transition studies emphasizes importance of creating self-determination supports to promote independence, autonomy, and quality of life in students with disabilities. Much of that literature, however, has not taken cultural and familial factors into consideration. A review of the Navajo family and disability…

This report includes state-by-state summaries of 1994 legislation pertaining to Native American issues. Of 344 bills introduced in the state legislatures in 1994, 92 were enacted and 20 are still pending. Major issues addressed in 1994 legislation included Native American education; history, language, and culture preservation; sovereignty; law…

The clan principle, the informal determination of human groups by totem characteristics, commonly accepted standards for self-definition, valued knowledge, and regulation of behavior, is a reality for American Indian and Native Alaskan cultures and for the mainstream urban, suburban, and industrial society as well. The tendency to group…

Noting that the terms "Native American" and "American Indian" are both legitimately used to refer to the indigenous people of North America, this digest identifies stereotypes about Native Americans that children gain from media portrayals and classroom role playing, and suggests strategies for teachers to use to counter…

This book reports on a study of the perceptions of Oklahoma American Indians about their childhood experiences in government and church-sponsored boarding schools. Drawing on symbolic anthropology, the boarding school experience is interpreted to be a complex cultural symbol and symbolic process that contributes to group collectivity and belonging…

Prior to a curriculum unit on Native Americans in a U.S. history course, three classes of fifth graders stated what they knew or believed they knew about these people and what they wanted to learn about them. After the unit, they reported what they had learned. In addition, a stratified sample of 10 students was interviewed concerning the details…

This paper describes a project that was required for completing the Americans for Indian Opportunity Ambassador Program. The project resulted in development of a course on American Indian family history taught at the Native American Educational Services College (Chicago, Illinois). Part of the course required American Indian students to document…

This directory lists 160 organizations in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas, as well as national organizations that provide educational resources for American Indians. Few American Indians live in Arkansas and Louisiana, but Oklahoma, Texas, and New Mexico rank among the top 10 states in terms of Native American population. The…

Annual workshops for the development of a Native American cultural curriculum bring together educators and advocates of Native cultural education from across the United States and Canada. As a product of the July 1990 workshop held in Juneau, this booklet contains lesson plans for teachers of American Indian, Alaska Native, and Canadian Native…

In a survey of 59 tribes, 27 said they were dissatisfied with the way school districts consult with them under the Impact Aid Program. Impact Aid legislation provides additional funds to local school districts educating children whose parents are employed by the federal government or live on federal property. In 1958, Congress included children…

This book offers a new culture-based framework that provides a way to research and develop curricula based on respect for diverse cultures. The Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) culture is used as an example to examine the reasons for prevailing stereotypes about American Indians and to explain how those stereotypes became the standard curriculum taught in…

This report summarizes two joint sessions held by the Indian Nations At Risk Task Force and the National Advisory Council on Indian Education to hear testimony on issues related to Native American adult and vocational technical education. Issues and problems are: (1) the positive effects of adult education on American Indians and their children,…

This reference book provides bibliographic information on 765 fiction books, suitable for grades K-9, whose main themes are the social life and customs of Native Americans and their contributions to U.S. society. The collection is arranged alphabetically by tribe and covers over 125 tribes. Copyright dates range from 1960 to 1993, with some…

An anthology of 30 short poetry and prose selections by and about American Indians tries to show what it is like to be an Indian in today's world. In addition to material by Hap Gilliland, Arthur Chapman, Mayme E. Finley, Jack Fiddler, and excerpts from Christopher Columbus' account to Ferdinand and Isabella, items are included by: Duke Redbird…