American Indian and Alaska Native students remain a very special and uniquely vulnerable population, often suffering from educational experiences that either fail to serve them adequately or that cause them to feel alienated, invisible, or unsupported. Teachers who serve Native youth must be cognizant of the unique needs of indigenous students, and their communities. Teachers who serve Native youth must also be willing to examine their preconceived notions of Native Americans, and then make the necessary adjustments in order to give Native youth a meaningful education that they deserve and need.
To best serve Native youth, here are some more important dos and don’ts for educators:
1. DON’T ever overlook students’ indigenous identity, or attempt to see them through a “colorblind” lens [...]
2. DON’T speak of Native Americans as a people of the past
Popular American culture has continuously portrayed Native Americans as a people of the past. Textbooks contribute to this problem. Speaking of Native Americans in the past tense maintains harmful stereotypes and makes Native youth feel invisible and unimportant.
DO teach regularly about modern Native American people. When teaching social studies, make sure to include Native American experiences regularly, as they have been present in all eras of history, evolving and changing like all other people.
3. DON’T teach stereotypical lessons like Thanksgiving
In case you missed it, teaching songs like Ten Little Indians, or organizing Thanksgiving plays, is not only dehumanizing, but reinforces misinformation about Native American people. [...]
4. DON’T use stereotypical language to describe Native Americans or Native American culture [...]
DO learn appropriate terminology and tribal-specific language. Be open to deconstructing what you thought appropriate terms were, and prepare abandon words you may have become accustomed to using.
5. DON’T deny or minimize indigenous genocide [...]
DO acknowledge indigenous tragedies throughout history, and teach about them responsibly, and with sensitivity. Learn about the tribes in your area and their history of struggle and survival.
6. DON’T dismiss Native students’ emotions as they relate to history, racism or controversial issues [...]
7. DON’T ask Native American students to speak for their race
Do not ask Native students, “What do Native Americans think?” or “You’re Native American. What do you think?” This puts them on the spot, and puts undue pressure on them to have all the answers for all Native American people, which is impossible.
DO give students the option to express their thoughts when comfortable. If they are a minority among a majority of non-Native students in the classroom, consider talking to them one-on-one a day or so beforehand about certain lessons, and ask if they’d like to contribute something.
8. DON’T assume that they aren’t Native American based on their name, or physical appearance
Many Native American students today are of multiple ethnic identities. Just because they are mixed with another race, don’t assume that they identify solely with the group they bear the most physical traits of. Regardless of what they look like, do not ever make them feel any less Native American.
DO recognize that Native Americans, like all other ethnic groups, are extremely diverse.
9. DON’T ever suggest that they should be less of who they are, forget the past, or become more mainstream [...]
10. DON’T give up on them
This may seem like a given for any student, but educators of Native youth, especially, must be aware of the dismal statistics of Native American youth, who suffer disproportionately high rates of discipline, suspension, and even expulsion from schools. Native American youth who are suspended from school suffer even greater risks of self-harm, incarceration, and even suicide. Do not lose patience for the most challenging students. They need your time and patience the most.