Mitigating Harm in Education for Our First Children

• In Event: Virtual Poster Session
  In Virtual iPresentation Only: SIG-Indigenous Peoples of the Americas Virtual Poster Session

Abstract

Indigenous people thrive in North America despite being governed by a foreign body whose efforts have attempted to assimilate and even exterminate them. White, Euro-American domination has had devastating generational effects on tribal communities who tenaciously hold on to their distinct ways of life. Tribal students may lack the resilience needed to conform to white expectations and overcome deep and lasting trauma. The dissonance between white and tribal culture perpetuates grievances for tribal students who struggle to walk in two worlds while preserving their cultural beliefs and retaining their value systems. This study seeks to understand tribal values and customs to identify actionable steps to mitigate harm done to tribal students in classrooms today.

Author

• Gayle Warmbrodt, American University