Based on national effective schooling research translated into practices which have been tested in actual school settings, the monograph is designed to assist elementary educators develop and use culturally appropriate curriculum for American Indian students. The preface identifies contemporary American Indian values and traits; objectives of culturally appropriate curriculum; assumptions of culture learning; and the document's point of reference relative to the terms "curriculum,""culturally appropriate curriculum," and "culturally appropriate curriculum excellence." Part 1, which offers suggestions to help institutionalize culturally appropriate curriculum, is organized around key questions often asked by school staff attempting to locate, organize, and implement culturally appropriate curriculum. Issues are related to resources, content, integration, instructional techniques, community involvement, and staff inservice. Part 2 focuses upon issues and special strategies needed to develop culturally appropriate curriculum including Indian community and school responsibilities, sources of funding, use of goals/objectives, guidelines for selecting culturally appropriate curriculum, accuracy of content, copyright/ownership maintenance, quality assurance, product dissemination, staff inservice curriculum training and product evaluation. Part 3 is a 33-item selective bibliography. (NEC)