Citizenship as Cultural Capital: Native American College Students Discover Purpose Through Educational Journeys

• In Event: Roundtable Session 16
  In Roundtable Session: Indigenous Higher Education-Focused Roundtable Session

Abstract

This study explored experiences of citizenship as cultural capital from ten Native American college students using a case study design and semi-structured interviews. These experiences were found to increase students’ sense of purpose. When students engage in civic engagement as cultural capital, they create opportunities for reaching more authentic purposes, values, and meanings about the world. Four main themes were: (1) Plans to use one’s education to give back to their own community, (2) Desire to be an engaged citizen of the world, (3) Struggle to balance the value of giving with cultural identity and (4) Identifying self as a role model to others. Students talked about citizenship as cultural capital as a way to project their lives beyond college.

Authors

• Anjali J. Forber-Pratt, Vanderbilt University - Peabody College

• Steven R. Aragon, Texas State University

• Patricia Stelter, Texas State University

• Karrie A. Shogren, The University of Kansas