Native American studies departments and programs in higher education do more than just teach about the oppression of Native Americans in U.S. history. They are working to preserve indigenous cultures by introducing and expanding coursework that offers strong ties to community building.
According to The Postsecondary National Policy Institute (PNPI), in October 2019, Native Americans — both American Indians and Alaska Natives — comprised only 1% of the U.S. undergraduate population and less than 1% of the graduate population. Moreover, 41% of Native American students seeking a bachelor’s degree graduated within six years, compared to nearly 63% of White students, reported by PNPI.
At the University of North Carolina at Pembroke (UNC-Pembroke), Dr. Mary Ann Jacobs, chair of the department of American Indian Studies (AIS), says the priority is to help students major and minor in AIS.
While instructors at UNC-Pembroke teach about oppression of indigenous people in the U.S., Canada and Australia, “we’re also teaching about resistance. It’s not just a story of ‘oh these oppressed people,’” says Jacobs. “Native people have agency. That means they are striving to resist assimilation, erasure of their culture, erasure of their languages.”
To keep students informed and engaged in the coursework and the Native American world at large, Jacobs often asks: “What is the connection to us?” or “What would you do in this situation?” These scenario-based questions give students an opportunity to understand the perspective of Native Americans and problem-solve by making decisions.
“My hope is that we [this program] grows, that someday we have a master’s degree program and grow — meaning more faculty, enough faculty — to actually teach at a master’s degree level,” explains Jacobs.
Over at the University of Minnesota, AIS is the oldest such program in the country offered for students and community members.
