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Walking in Two Worlds
Lance TallmadgeNative American Student Services Coordinator
Wisconsin Dells School District
“Our schools have failed to nurture the intellectual
development and academicperformance of many Native
children, as is evident from their high dropout rates and
negative attitudes towards school.”
(Indian Nations at Risk Task Force Report 1995)
What are some of the factors that have contributed to low Native American
student achievement?
Boarding school experience
Assimilation into public schools
Divorce, single parent household , abuse, addictions
Peer pressure, the “Crab” Syndrome
“Schools that respect and support a student’s language and culture are
significantly more successful in educating those students.”
(Indian Nations at Risk Task Force Report 1995)
As education professionals; teachers, counselors, principals, administrators and school boards, how can we support and
respect Native American students’ culture?
Develop an understanding of Native American education history.
Be compassionate, kind, listen, validate feelings and respectful.
Reach out to the Native American community either through liaisons, counselors or other professionals.
Increase parental involvement.
What learning characteristics should we recognize in Native American students?
Learning style is more hands on. (Show me & let me do.)
Oral tradition – taught to be good listeners not note takers.
Native American culture values cooperation and compromise not the competitive nature of the dominate society.
Spiritual people – spirituality cannot be removed from any aspect of life, including learning.
What in the Dells is going on?Liaison position funded through Title VII
Ho-Chunk Language classes offered at the HS with support from the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Continually working to infuse Native American culture across the curriculum.
(4th gr Native People of WI curriculum added)
Increase staff awareness through Book Club(“The Seventh Generation: Native Students
Speak About Finding the Good Path”)
New district policy to include extended family members to participate in student’s education.
“Let us put our minds together and see what life
we can make for our children.”
Sitting Bull – Hunkpapa Sioux (1831-1890)
InformationThe Seventh Generation: Native Students Speak About
Finding the Good PathAmy Berstrom- Anishinaabeg (Red Lake Nation)Thomas Peacock- Ojibwe (Fond du Lac Band)Linda Cleary- UM/Duluth English Professor
Oyate2702 Mathews St.
Berkley, CA 94702(510) 848-6700
(510) 848-4815 [email protected]
