ERIC Number: ED459978
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2001
Pages: 7
Abstractor: N/A
ISBN: N/A
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Available Date: N/A
Indian Education: An Intergenerational Approach.
Buffalohead, Priscilla; Sterner, Michele
The Indian Education Program in the Osseo School District (Minnesota) serves approximately 200 American Indian students in grades K-12 from 27 schools and a variety of tribes. The Program's intergenerational approach reflects tribal traditions in that generations learn together and grandparents, parents, and students are involved in the decision-making process. In addition to weekly and monthly culture classes, postsecondary preparation activities, and advocacy, the Program has created a number of family-based after-school, weekend, and summer activities. Traditional tribal seeds are used in a garden managed by parents and students. Another Program feature is a craft business, where Indian elders, and community members, and parents teach students to make traditional Indian crafts items that are sold at vendor booths, pow-wows, and craft fairs. Students have created a Web page and catalogue for the business. Entire families are involved in drum, dance, and language classes taught by Elders and other community members with knowledge and understanding of their tribal culture and heritage. Field trips familiarize students with Indian cultural history and postsecondary education. A parent and student-run newsletter keeps the community informed about Program offerings. The Program's success is based upon several factors that can be duplicated in other programs. Staff, parents, and students agree to work toward common valued goals. Staff are hired who understand how to locate funding, work with Indian community members, and recruit those who have valuable cultural knowledge and skills to share. Program staff members and parents learn how to collaborate with representatives from other community programs with similar goals. The ideas of all participants are valued and put into action. (TD)
Publication Type: Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
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