Native American Children and

Adolescents
ERVING MARURE AND DANIEL BELLINA

Overview, Origins
Nomadic ancestors crossed Bering Strait, 13000 years ago
European Colonization: Genocide, Warfare, Epidemics
Up to 80 percent(or more) of the native population perished

Overview, American Control

Removal and Reservations, Indian Removal Act of

1830, Indian boarding Schools, Civilise

Overview, Today
Became American citizens in 1924
566 Federal recognized tribal governments
2010 US census Bureau 5.2 million identify as Native

American, 2.9 million identify as sole race

Cultural Characteristics
Personal Differences
Quietness
Patience
Mutualism
Open Work Ethic
Spirituality
Caution

Gender
Native American women maintain a respect of words
Female and Male relations are traditionally mutual,

with American influence males have been

overpowering

Socioeconomic Status
Poorest economically(26.4 percent), least employed,

unhealthiest ,Education and income levels are low,

lower homeownership than others
Tribes have increased control of their lands such as
natural resources and business ventures

Families
Elders are always respected and symbolic
Group welfare is prioritized

Religion
Nature-Oriented, legends were to describe nature

Includes practices, traditions, and ceremonies

Symbolism closely associated with animals
Shamans and medicine men substituted preachers and
clergymen, Native American religion is complex

Language
Tend to speak softly and at a slower rate
With hundreds of languages, others must adapt to

the specific language

Navajo claims more than 150000
Cherokee more than 50000 speakers

Issues Facing the Youth

Children might occasionally suffer from poverty,
abuse, domestic violence, or substance abuse; more
than one in three are in poverty, suicide rate is 2.5
the national rate and second leading cause of death
Twenty two percent suffer from Post Traumatic
Stress Disorder ( exceeding or matching recent war
veterans)
June 2, 2015 Congress approved a commission to
address the stated issues.

Academic Achievement
Native American graduation rate : 67 percent
Bureau of Indian Education: 53 percent graduating
2011 just 18 percent were proficient in reading while

42 for whites, fourth grade

Over 90 percent attend public schools
CCSD: .47 %(1470) classify as Native American
6.03% classify as two or more races
No improvement since 2005, gains in 8th grade math
but failings in 8th and 4th grade reading

Issues with American Education

Americanization
History Books, Thanksgiving
Bullying (Traditional names), culture
Racism

School Practices
Strengthen connections with children
Acknowledge the culture
School programs to assist issues with children
Screening to identity at risk students
Offer activities from their respective culture such as

lacrosse
Provide a culturally responsive curriculum, integrate
their culture
Allow bilingualism

Children of the
Plains

Resources
http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-history
http://www.jtb.org/index.php?src=gendocs&ref=Native%20

American%20History&category=Integration
http://nwindian.evergreen.edu/curriculum/ValuesBehaviors.
pdf
http://www.epi.org/publication/bp370-native-americans-job
s/
http://thinkprogress.org/education/2013/08/14/2465711/ac
hievement-gap-native-americans/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/27/native-americ
an-commission_n_7665842.html
http://www.alaskapublic.org/2015/06/03/congress-approves
-commission-on-native-american-children/
http://www.edweek.org/ew/projects/2013/native-american-ed