This two-part document describes the background and development of "Role Models Are Real People," a speakers' program for at-risk American Indian students, grades 6-8, in Chicago. The first part of the document includes the program proposal, outlining dropout statistics and other data showing reason for concern about American Indian students in Chicago and highlighting the need for increased parental involvement. The proposal describes the "Role Model" program's founding organizations, Native American Education Services College and the Institute for Native American Development, which first recommended inviting parents and other American Indian leaders to speak to students in their classrooms. The resulting "Role Models" project was designed to offer Indian school children some early role models, mostly parents who informed them about their careers, and to provide an occasional field trip. The second part of the document is largely anecdotal, describing in full detail the speakers' presentations, field trips, and students' positive reactions to the program. Issues involving student behavior, program organization, and logistics are discussed. Students' questions indicated special interests in American Indian languages, culture, college education, and speakers' incomes. Field trips included museums, the ballet, local university campuses, and a basketball game. (TES)