Explains the Cherokee concept of "gadugi," a tradition of interdependency and service which is reflected in the service component of the Native Indian Youth Leadership Project (NYLP). Provides examples of three levels of service in NYLP: (1) traditional community-generated service; (2) program-generated service; and (3) student-generated…

Many concepts forming the foundation of the outdoor/experiential learning movement have parallels in Native American traditions. The National Indian Youth Leadership Program focuses on key Native American values such as family commitment, service to others, spiritual awareness, challenge, meaningful roles, recognition, responsibility, natural…

From a visual perspective, many disadvantaged students are assigned to schools that are dark, shabby and lifeless--more like a factory or fortress than a place for learning. Equally lifeless is the standard test-driven curriculum which utterly fails to tap the interests and talents of these students. Stultified learning environments are…

The National Indian Youth Leadership (NIYL) model was created to develop leadership skills for Indian youth to perform their future roles in the family, school, tribe, and nation. The model not only instills leadership skills and values through hands-on learning opportunities, but also challenges youth to apply those skills through projects they…

Describes traditional Indian education and how it differs from the Euro-American model by utilizing example instead of indoctrination. Notes that experiential and service learning include many key elements of Native approaches. Describes programs developed by the National Indian Youth Leadership Project that combine these approaches with…