Schools aim to revive Tribal history

By STEVE KADEL

H&N Staff Writer

September 3, 2007

   Klamath Falls and Klamath County students may soon be learning more about the Basin’s cultural heritage through an Indian education curriculum.

   A $7,000 grant from the Klamath Tribes’ Distribution and Investment Board got the project rolling. Another grant totaling $1.8 million will be sought in March from the U.S. Department of Education, said Carol Castle, Klamath Falls City Schools Title 7 coordinator for federal Indian education programs.

   The goal is to develop a curriculum emphasizing local Tribal culture and history, along with providing cultural training for all teachers, counselors and administrators. The curriculum would be used in the city and county school districts.

The goal

   It’s hoped the combination of cultural identity and special academic opportunities for students would result in lower dropout rates and higher graduation rates among Indian children.

   “It’s a step on the path toward learning,” Castle said. “If kids have identity with the Tribes, they seem to learn.”

   She said research among Navajo youngsters confirmed that those with a knowledge and appreciation of their own culture became better all-around students.

   However, Castle said the curriculum would be available to non-Tribal students as well as Tribes’ members. It would extend from elementary school to high school, with students in upper grades able to choose the course as an elective.

      There are about 300 Indian students in the city school district and an equal number in the county district, Castle said. She noted there have occasionally been presentations in schools by Tribes’ members.

‘More comprehensive’ 

    “But to have something more comprehensive is the goal,” she said.

   The program will be  based somewhat on an existing curriculum offered by the Oregon Department of Education called “Indians in Oregon Today.” Castle said that wouldn’t be appropriate for local students because it includes materials about tribes from other areas.

   “I want something specific to Klamath County ,” she said. “It only makes sense to stick with something that will be relevant to the kids.”  

   She is working on the curriculum with Tribes members Devery Saluskin, Johnson O’Malley coordinator, and Brenda Franks, director of education and employment for Johnson O’Malley. 

   Castle said one of their first tasks is to prioritize how to spend the seed money given by the Tribes. She believes at least part of the curriculum can be in place by the start of the 2008-09 school year. 

   Castle anticipates the curriculum will go into enough historic detail to dispel some myths and teach students about cultural aspects beyond common clichés. 

   “Life isn’t just fun, food and fiesta in a culture,” she said.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
NOTE: In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107, any copyrighted
material  herein is distributed without profit or payment to those who have
expressed  a  prior interest in receiving this information for non-profit
research and  educational purposes only. For more information go to:http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml

Source:  http://pioneer.olivesoftware.com/Daily/Skins/heraldandnews/

navigator.asp?skin=heraldandnews