Educational and Cultural History and Policy

Books

An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States

Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz (2019) describes in-depth the facade of the US as a land “discovered” and focuses on Indigenous genocide, colonialism, and how Native Americans have resisted to US imperialism over centuries. Scholars find this book helpful for reshaping their understanding of different moments in US history to a Native perspective of US history. It is a comprehensive overview of colonization, trauma, settler-colonist societies, and the implications of education for Native American youth.

Decolonizing Methodologies

Tuhiwai Smith (2012) describes how imperialism is embedded in knowledge and argues that decolonization of research methods will help reclaim control over Indigenous ways of knowing and being. Scholars found this text valuable with the examples that were presented regarding the Maori people of New Zealand and how the Indigenous population began their healing processes. Scholars also noted that Tuhiwai Smith allowed them to explore the world in two ways, the world of Indigneous people and the world of researchers.

Deculturalization and the Struggle for Equality: A Brief History of the Education of Dominated Cultures in the United States

Spring (2016) introduces the history of school policies and examines the concept of deculturalization (i.e., school stripping away family languages and cultures to replace them with those of the dominant group). He focuses on Native Americans, Enslaved Africans, Chinese, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Hawaiians. Scholars describe this book as helpful in showing different perspectives of colonization for different cultures.

Teaching 21 Thinking Skills for the 21st Century

Robinson-Zanartu, Doerr and Portman (2015) provide a guide that shows teachers how to develop students’ thinking skills using a framework of mediation, with examples of dialogues and interactions that support student learning. Common Core State Standards are referenced throughout, and sample lesson plans provided. This book includes chapters on using culture to elicit prior knowledge, and on promoting resilience. Scholars find this resource helpful when mediating learning for Native American youth and accessing cultural assets to bridge cultural knowledge into academic learning (e.g., focus and attention, multiple sources, goal setting, planning).

Teaching American Indian Students: A History of Indian Education

Reyhner (1990) explains the importance of exploring the history of European immigrants and their desire to obtain Indian lands by purchase or force. It is important to understand that Indian education now requires an understanding of the cultural history of Indians. Educators must know the historical context of Native American communities and the school system in order to understand current perspectives and relationships.

Maay Uuyow: Kumeyaay Cosmology

Traditional Kumeyaay cosmology was once extensive. Through his review of anthropological writings and interviews, direct measurement, and field research, Connolly produced this volume explaining and illustrating key elements of Kumeyaay cosmology, and specifically of Maay Uuyow, translated as sky knowledge.