Cultural Relevancy

Several authors have written of the discrepancy between formal Western educational methods and the traditional Native American learning (Kawagley 1995; Dauenhouer 1982; Wax, et al. 1989; R.Barnhardt 1991; Deloria 1991; Hamptom 1989; Reyner et al. 1993).¹

The language experience approach makes the student's home environment relevant to concepts presented in public schools. New strategies for demonstrating the relevancy of education to their culture will hopefully encourage Seminole students to remain in school through graduation. In an earlier report on Native American drop-outs, students reported leaving school because they were bored, they found school irrelevant; and they had difficulty interacting with students, peers and school personnel.²

Because the Seminole students are a small part of the minority students in local school, their need for cultural expression and more intensive skill building is not always appropriate in the public schools. This dichotomy has hindered the full development of native student potential. This program offers a creative and unique opportunity to test culturally integrated teaching methods beyond "four walls." One example from the 2000 season was the creation of a storybook for the students and the library. The students wrote a story about the legend of the alligator, made pictures, and learned Creek words for features of the story.

For more information on Seminole culture, visit the Seminole Tribe's website.
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¹ Kawagley, A. Oscar. 1995. A Yupaiq Worldview. Prospect Heights: Waveland Press. Dauenhouer, R. 1982. Conflicting Visions in Alaskan Education. Fairbanks, AK: Center for Cross-Cultural Studies, University of Alaska Fairbanks. Wax, M.L., R.H. Wax, and R.V. Dumont, Jr. 1989. Formal Education in an American Indian Community: Peer Society and the Failure of Minority Education. Prospect Heights, IL: Waveland Press. Barnhardt, R. 1991. Two Cultures, One School: St. Mary's, Alaska. Canadian Journal of Native Education 17(2):54-66. Deloria, Jr., Vine. 1991. Indian Education in America: 8 Essays by vine deloria, Jr. Boulder, CO: The American Indian Science and Engineering society. Hampton, E. 1989. Towards a redefinition of American Indian/Alaska native education. Unpublished doctoral dissertation, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA. Reyner, J., Lee, H., and Gabbard, D. 1993. A Specialized Knowledge Base for Teaching American Indian and Alaska native Students. Tribal college: Journal of American Indian Higher Education 4(4):26-32, 1 ² American Indian/Alaska Native Dropout Study. 1991. In the Native North American Almanac.Duane Champagne, ed. Detroti: Gale Research Inc.