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[forwarded by Pat Morris. Thanks...]

http://www.pioneerplanet.com:80/seven-days/1/opinion/docs/012221.htm
Published: Wednesday, January 26, 2000

Kristine Shotley
Commentator

Schools need more American Indian teachers

There is a terrible shortage of American Indian teachers. And the
U.S. government needs to get serious about giving our young people
the high-quality education they deserve.

The Education Department has recently developed a $10 million
program to train and certify American Indian students and teacher's
aides to work in reservation classrooms.

As a Native who once wanted to teach, I applaud the action, but I
believe we need more than just money to address the shortage of
teachers in my community.

When I was studying to be a teacher, a white female student in the
same program asked me what I thought my chances were of finding a
job after graduation. I replied that because I am Native American, and
a woman, I thought I would have excellent opportunities for immediate
employment. ``How nice,'' she said, ``to turn two negatives into two
positives!'' I was taken aback. It had not occurred to me that in this day
and age, I would still have to defend my identity.

In the United States, most American Indian children are still taught by
non-Native teachers. There are fewer than 18,000 American Indian
teachers working today. And, on average, one out of every three
teachers on reservations leaves every year, according to the American
Indian College Fund.

American Indians who wish to become teachers need extra support
and encouragement. Our needs are often different from those of the
majority, and many of us don't fit the traditional college profile. We tend
to be older and have extremely limited incomes.

To recruit more teachers, we need to develop curricula that affirm our
American Indian identity. For example, elementary-school kids need to
learn an accurate and truthful account of American history. How many
times do we have to reiterate that Christopher Columbus did not
``discover'' America? How many students know that the U.S.
Constitution is based on American Indian principles? The preamble
mentions ``securing the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our
posterity.'' The Founders took that concept of posterity from American
Indians.

When I was growing up, Native history was not taught. I endured the
appalled looks of my white classmates when our teachers presented a
one-sided account of American history. I felt apologetic for my
ancestors who tried to defend their lands from white settlers.

And here's another suggestion for encouraging and retaining American
Indian teachers: Employ Native elders as cultural envoys and special
guests in public and private schools. They can bring humor, wisdom
and storytelling to students. This experience could enlighten white
children who think American Indians still live in tepees, steal horses, use
beads as money, and wear only buffalo-hide clothing. American Indian
children would feel validated by seeing one of their own people in an
honored position.

It's about time the United States addressed the lack of American Indian
teachers. I want my son and other Native sons and daughters to realize
they can become anything they choose because they have the
educational background they need.
 

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