When a curriculum committee began searching for new history textbooks at Wyoming Indian High School, the goal was simple: Find a book that included history of American Indian tribes.
Only 10 of the 15 books reviewed by the committee mentioned American Indian "history" -- or casinos, Sacagawea and the high poverty on reservations.
"The rich cultural pieces were definitely missing," said Michelle Hoffman, superintendent of Fremont County School District 14.
The lack of knowledge about American Indian culture and history is only one reason Hoffman and Fremont 14's Board of Education have proposed a statewide "Indian Education for All" act to the Wyoming School Boards Association.
"The state doesn't offer any sort of culture or history of the Shoshone or Arapaho tribes," said Clarinda Burson, president of the District 14 board. "We're the only reservation in the state. I think we just need to let people know our history and our culture."
State association members voted "no recommendation" on the proposal, though Hoffman and others will offer more information at a meeting on Wednesday in Casper.
Johann Nield, president of the state school boards association, said members won't give a definite "yes" or "no" recommendation to the state Department of Education until they are sure the act is good for all students and all districts.
"The way I read it is that all schools would have to be forced to teach Indian culture," Nield said. "The resolution was not strong enough to just go 'pass' or 'no pass.'"
Schools are already knee-deep in meeting requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, Nield added, and they shouldn't be required to take on extras. He said many schools are already do an OK job of educating students about American Indian culture.
"In today's world, we have so many other things that are being required of the kids today," he said. "Our day is so taken up in other things it's hard to mandate something a school doesn't need."
The resolution states schools have an obligation to prepare students to be successful Wyoming citizens, and that having basic knowledge of the state's tribes is necessary to that.
The resolution also stipulates that all school personnel should have an understanding and awareness of tribes to help them relate with American Indian students and parents.
Education is the easiest way to reach students and give them accurate information, Hoffman said.
"A lot of the name calling, the stereotypes, the war whoops, are because people haven't been taught," Hoffman said. "You know, on the rez, not everyone lives in teepees.
"The reservation in Wyoming is over 2 million square miles. You can't just ignore it."
Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com. Read her blog at my.trib.com/jasasantos.
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mark wrote on Nov 18, 2008 6:36 AM:
al wrote on Nov 18, 2008 9:17 AM:
How sick and sad, yet so very PC!
I wonder if the Shoshones and Arapahos will be agreeing on whatever version is put into the book? Doubtful. Have fun, looks like you just handed the tribes another lawsuit. Thanks.
Maybe your next history book will have a running total of how many times the state has been sued by the tribe(s). "
grizbayer wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:38 AM:
Sonny wrote on Nov 18, 2008 10:43 AM:
gram wrote on Nov 18, 2008 11:12 AM:
whateverrrrrrrrrrrr wrote on Nov 18, 2008 12:14 PM:
Well wrote on Nov 18, 2008 8:26 PM:
Over time in learnable pieces will give a lot of information. Will it be hard perhaps only in desire to know and time to learn a culture that traditionally has been word of mouth teaching.
However many universities have reputable Native American Studies to get the information from also.
Grizbayer you are right and I will add to what you said. Most have no idea of the meaning and purpose of the Sweat Lodge, The Uweepe Ceremony, the Pipe Ceremony and much more of a rich culture they have to offer either. Many only see the bad but there are many good people also.
Yes they do have problems and they are trying to work on them and are successful in many places. It takes a while for those who are hunter gatherers nomadic in nature to adapt to a different life style on enclosed restricted areas. But they did not put themselves there.
Wateverrrrrrr My question to you is exactly how generous were your ancestors when they stole everything they had and put them on reservations (or more to the point those they did not murder). Your ancestors introduced them to alcohol, destruction of their resources, small pox laden blankets, government handouts, broke almost every treaty made with them, abused the children for speaking their native language at the mission schools, try to deny treaty rights whenever you can, put as many obstacles in their way so as to prevent adaptation and progress etc. In return you got a land that is worth more than you or this nation can ever repay them for. You got your land of freedom by taking it away from those who had it first. You must be very proud.
What goes around comes around. While the casinos are not the best way for them they had to do something. Exactly why do you believe they need to share the casino profits with us your people took their lands they now take your money. Turnabout is fair play. Quite frankly I am appalled at the measure of your hatred and bigotry. "
al wrote on Nov 19, 2008 8:36 AM:
As for well-how long do you think they "need" to adjust? They have no problems adjusting to white man liquer, white man food stamps, white man car.....I'm tired of hearing, it's only been 150 years, they need time........look at what "we" have done in 150 years. Skyscrapers, computers, telephones.....If they really want to go back to how they lived before us bad guys got here-you know, when Lewis and Clark found them half starved, and wiped out by their enemies-if they really want to go back to those days, they are a sovereign nation, who's stoppin 'em? "
Harold R. W wrote on Nov 20, 2008 9:49 AM:
Dunesy White A.I.M member wrote on Nov 20, 2008 9:58 AM:
NMGirl wrote on Nov 20, 2008 10:32 PM:
It is an essential part of American History and should come before any chapter on the Pilgrims or the American Colonies. Good Job Navajo Nation getting NM State Department of Education to get on board to get Navajo Language and Cultural Education Approved!
Native America is America! "
Shila wrote on Nov 28, 2008 10:38 PM:
Because I am going into art education I am now aware of all of the tribal information in Montana and feel comfortable creating dialog about it. And for everyone who does not feel like Indian Ed is essential in the school curriculum, you should get a real education, learn to read and write, and post a real opinion. I am actually embarrassed for the person who thinks Indians should learn the "white man's" way, because that is why the Indians are on reservations, sent to boarding schools, molested, lost some or all of their language, and been through genocide, assimilation, and were on the verge of being wiped out completely and some were! But, that was like hundreds of years ago and we all live together in the present time. We all need to work together, respect all culture's past (especially Indigenous cultures) not just our own. It is wrong to want to create the culture that once lived because the land in obviously not the same, but it would be impossible in our technological world. "
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