1. Sacred Purpose: Transformative Indigenous Teachings Informing Education and Beyond Paper Presentation: American Indian/Indigenous Teacher Education Conference Ricardo A. Medina, Ph.D. July 11, 2014 rmedina30@cox.net

2. Sacred purpose: A Qualitative Indigenous Research Study 1. Background: Researcher & Research 3. Analysis of Data, Findings, Curriculum, Discussion and Questions 2. Methodology: Research Question, Design, Data Collection Presentation Road Map 3. Sacred purpose Thousands of years ago Eagle Today the potential to reunite Condo r Prophecy of the Eagle and the Condor Background 4. Sacred purpose: A Qualitative Indigenous Research Study Framework 5. Sacred purpose: A Qualitative Indigenous Research Study The essence of knowing ones [sacred purpose] was seen as the most significant element of keeping balanced and being well rooted. Background 6. Sacred purpose: You have a Sacred Purpose. Within you are gifts that were sent to you in this world to fulfill. Use your Sacred Purpose to contribute in a positive way to the world. 7. Research from the 21st Century Victor Frankl Psychological well being, life satisfaction Pro-social, moral action, generosity, altruism Boredom, depression, disengagement, suicide Holocaust survivor Purpose promotes psychological well being Helping others is beneficial to finding ones purpose in life Lack of purpose is an important factor in producing feelings of boredom. Logotherapy High levels of purpose = strong subjective well being Higher purpose = greater involvement in social and political activities A connection between sense of purpose and an individuals level of depression. Existentialism Having identified a purpose in life = greater life satisfaction in adolescence, emerging adulthood, and adulthood High levels of purpose, more likely to be characterized as extrovert and enjoy social situations Lack of purpose leads to greater usage of drugs; alcohol dependence; suicide 8. Purpose and Adolescents Stage of Adolescence Damons Path to Purpose Adolescent Purpose Benefits of Adolescent Purpose Adolescents have a great expectation that something tremendous is supposed to happen in their lives around the age of 15 or 16; a greatness exist within them; an intense longing within them. (Pearce, J.C.) 1,200 young people surveyed about how todays youth are finding or not finding purpose in their lives. Findings:20% Purposeful/ 25% Dabblers/ 31% Dreamers/ 25% Disengaged. Adolescent purpose linked to psychological health, overall physical health and well being. More able to cope with developmental crises. Committing to an inspiring purpose is an important component of healthy identity development. Purpose in life serves as a powerful source of long term motivation Ericksons 8 stages of psychosocial (1968) development suggest this is a time period where there is a conflict between identity and role diffusion; in search of an identity and purpose plays a key role in helping to resolve identity crisis Discussion and Implications: Purpose can be facilitated and developed. Those with purpose are motivated, full of energy, optimistic, happy, compassionate, agents of change. Those who lack aimlessly drift with indecision, confusion, High ability youth are not more likely to commit to purpose compared to typical adolescents. Strong academic abilities are NOT required or even preferred for the pursuit of purpose. When students take on purpose and connect it to their daily lives, it serves as an important source of academic motivation. 9. Purpose in Educational Settings The Need for Purpose in Schools Benefits of Purpose in Schools Purpose Interventions in Schools Flow Theory Students need schools that are more than test prep training grounds. They need schools that will help them to find a compelling purpose to guide them through life Damon, 2008). Promoting purpose may lead to successful youth development and prevent high school dropout rate. Make Your Work Matter brief intervention designed to help adolescents explore, discover, and enact purpose in early career development. No significant measures found Optimal experience deep sense of enjoyment; when people enjoy a specific activity and are not distracted they will do it longer and approach more creatively. If students lack meaning and purpose in their lives then they are less motivated to learn (Kessler, 2000) Purpose linked to a desire to be actively involved in social situations and leadership roles at school. Dialogue sessions focusing on perceptions of control and purpose. Findings indicated that it is possible to enhance a students sense of purpose through a short term intervention. Best moments occur when a body or mind is stretched to its limits in order to accomplish something difficult and worthwhile. Academic subject matter can integrate purpose into curriculum. Provide engaging curriculum tied to each students purpose and gains will occur in student achievement. Schools providing purpose through action research projects, games, service activities, Schools tap in to exotelic experiences tasks to accomplish for external reasons. Purpose helps to seek 10. Sacred purpose: A Qualitative Indigenous Research Study Stories Metaphors Absence of Teachings and the Effects Healing La LLorona Sacred gifts spiritual amnesia as a result of conquest In this time for all of us on the Earth, the youth are being asked to find their true purpose. Aztec Calendar Instructions, blueprint intergenerational trauma When the youth search for sacred purpose, the old wise spirits you were born with will be activated. A song of purpose and identity Seed, soil, song, Acorn Theory contrasting western Literature Review 11. What are the principles derived from indigenous elders that can guide the development of a curriculum that promotes sacred purpose? What is sacred purpose and its guiding principles? What stories/teachings/t hemes of Sacred Purpose that can be identified by indigenous elders and how do they see it actualized? How does Sacred Purpose, according to indigenous elders, contribute to adolescent development? How can the teachings/elements of Sacred Purpose, based on the conversations with elders, be actualized in education? 12. Sacred purpose: A Qualitative Indigenous Research Study - Maestro Jerry Tello - Angelbertha Cobb (Mama Cobb) - Maestro Roberto Cintli Rodriguez - Maestra Grace Sesma Phase 2: Acquiring Entry and Trust *Protocols & Palabra* Participants, Protocols, & Values Gender Geography Community Identification Must embrace an Indigenous Epistemology Familiarity and willingness to share teachings about sacred purpose Phase 1: Acquiring Access to Indigenous Elders 13. Sacred purpose: Dignity (Dignidad)- You are SACRED just the way you are.. Respect (Respeto) - Honoring Someone's sacredness Confianza - (Trust) Creating a sacred place to grow, learn, heal Carino - (Love) Living your life with love and value Teachings of Maestro Jerry Tello 14. Sacred purpose: 15. Sacred purpose: For Example: Teach ethically, compassionately, lovingly For Example: Our ability to inspire and seek inspiration from others who walk with their sacred purpose For Example: Balancing internal needs with external world around us For Example: We all have our own lugar and none is better than the other. Sacred Purpose Calling of the Grandmas Different Process for Each Individual 16. Sacred purpose Teachings of Maestro Roberto Cintli Rodriguez 17. Synthesis of the Teachings 18. Sacred purpose: Multidimensional Responsibility to learn, teach, create, resist Lived Experience: The Journey Balance & Healing Relational Sharing your gifts, talents, passions 19. Sacred purpose: 20. Sacred purpose: Implications for Education Curriculum Brainstorm 21. Sacred purpose: Curriculum Non-Traditional 22. Sacred purpose: Implications An Honored Role in the Community; Fulfillment of Sacred Purpose What does this provide? Your ability to provide physically, emotionally, spiritually for others. What does this provide? a degree healthy relationships wisdom Balance A Developed/Enhanced Sacred Purpose Ability to Read the Word and World What is the purpose of education? General facts and constructs Pedagogy of the Eagle and the Condor 23. Whats Next? Nation al Comp adres Network Culturally Based Programs Individual/Gr oup Counsel, Mentorship and Life Coaching Inspirational Keynotes Facilitator Training Align to Educational Settings (ie. Common Core, Specific Subject Areas)