Practicing Educational Self-Determination: Models of Indigenous Learning Communities in the Southwest United States

• In Event: 16.056 - Roundtable Session 4
  In Roundtable Session: 16.056-17 - Schooling and Academic Performance of Indigenous Learning Communities

Abstract

Drawing upon author conducted research over the last decade, this analysis examines four contemporary examples of Indigenous learning Communities (ILC) in the Southwest United States. ILCs are educational programs created by Native people for preparing students to become leaders and change agents for their communities. The investigation of the ILCs is framed as instances of tribal and educational self-determination in the 21st century. The analysis conveys the relationship of the ILCs to deep sovereignty, an expression of self-determination rooted in Indigenous worldviews, linguistic knowledge systems, and cultural values. The examination problematizes the relationship in an effort to understand educational self-determination for Native people and for addressing the role of Native communities in exercising self-determination grounded in Indigenous worldviews and deep sovereignty.

Author

• Tiffany S. Lee, University of New Mexico