The educational edifice constructed largely by non-Indians to educate American Indians is described, and the responses of American Indians to that structure are explored. Indian movements to design and control the education of their own children are discussed. A review of contemporary research on Indian education covers the topical literature on dropouts, learning and interactional styles, curriculum development and language policy, and other aspects of the education of American Indians. European American culture has consistently sought to replace the culture of American Indians with that of the dominant culture in a conscious effort to disenfranchise Indians from their land. The boarding school experience has been a major part of such efforts. Research on Indian education, in keeping with the self-determination expressed increasingly by American Indians, is moving away from models that propose deficiencies in the child's language or cultural backgrounds, in order to try to define the strengths of American Indian cultures, to develop those strengths through education, and to foster Native American ideals. (Contains 107 references.) (SLD)