Due by class time on: Mon., April 4th, 2011
The responses by the whole class are due by class time on: Wed., April 6th, 2011
The text you need to read is here.
By: Lauren Foley
To begin, this article was titled “American Indian Language Policy and School Success” by Jon Reyhner. It started out discussing the “Native American Languages Act”, which stated the United States has a responsibility to act together with Native Americans to make sure the unique cultures and languages survive. The act also stated “the right of Native Americans to express themselves through the use of Native American languages shall not be restricted in any public proceeding, including publicly supported education programs.” (105). Reyhner goes on to explain that this act has three important implications: continuation of the policy of Indian self-determination that has been effect over the last twenty years, reversal of the historical policy of the United States Government to suppress Indian languages in Bureau of Indian Affairs and other schools, and reaction to the attempt to make English the official language of the United States. The article goes on to state the fact that American languages in Indian education have a long history in America. Missionaries were aware of the importance of using Indian languages in their educational work. Reyhner uses the example of a Northeast mission school and how they only used books written in the Chippewan languages, and when missionaries changed to teaching in English the quality of education declined. The article goes on to talk about the Government suppression of the Indian languages. Many examples of this are talked about, but to name a few, after the Civil War President Grant tried to bring an end to the Indian war. He said language differences led to misunderstandings. Another example is under the Secretary of the Interior Schurz, the Indian bureau issued regulations that all instruction had to be in English in both mission and government schools, and was threatened with funding. Reyhner also states another question came up with the anti-Catholicism and Indian education. Protestants who labeled both as un-American in contrast to the non-denominational public schools grouped catholic Indian schools with urban Catholic parochial schools. James M. King stated Roman Catholic teachings do not prepare the Indians for intelligent and loyal citizenship, and after that T. J. Morgan accused the Catholics of treason. The article then goes on to state the fact that there is a lack of teachers who are specialized and qualified to teach Indian students. Reyhner closes out the article with some criticisms of Indian education. It was reported 95% of Navajo children went home after their education instead of white communities, leaving themselves unable to take part in Navajo life because they didn’t know the customs of their own people. In 1923, John Collier stated, “the administration of Indian affairs is a national disgrace- a policy designed to rob Indians of their property, destroy their culture, and eventually exterminate them.” The final solution Congress came up with for Indian problems was to let Indians be free by terminating their reservations. Therefore, the federal trust status of the reservation would be ended and the tribe’s land and assets would be divided and distributed to tribe members.
John Rehyner’s article, American Indian Language Policy and School Success, is about the Native American Languages Act and has three main clauses. It is “a continuation of Indian self-determination,” reverses the aged policy that suppressed Native American languages, and third, it attempts to make English the official language of the United States. Minus the Introduction and conclusion, Rehyner divides this article into four sections. The introduction lays the groundwork of the Native American Languages Act, its goals, and some of the reasons why it was introduced. He states that Bureau of Indian Affairs’ (BIU) schools, which many Native American children attend, suffer from much lower grades than students who are enrolled in non-BIU schools.
ReplyDeleteIn the second section, Missionarys and Native Language Uses, Rehyner discusses where the imperialistic trends where the original Native American language suppression policy came. He uses the example of Reverend John Elliot, who “preached to the Massachusetts Indians in their native tongue” and “got the new testament published in the Massachusetts language with the help of Indian translators and printers.” He also talks about how hard it was to teach other groups of Native Americans, not because of an inability to learn the English language, but because of an unwillingness.
The third section, Government Suppression of Indian Languages, is about the post-civil war effort to put an end to the uphill battle between Native Americans and regular Americans. Ideas like, “giving them a white man’s education for a few years in a boarding school” were discussed because of a trend seen in the first BIA school in Pennsylvania. The caveat to having government funding for these schools was that they were required to teach in English, something many Native American’s were opposed to. Standing Bear, a Sioux Indian and former BIA school graduate complained that “new teachers sent to the reservations knew only books; in other words, they knew nothing of the children they were to teach.” To him, it seemed as if none of the new BIA teachers were interested in helping the Native Americans, only themselves.
Apart from the introduction and conclusion, the fourth section, Anti-Catholicism and Indian Education, is the shortest, but it discusses a major part of Native American educational success, religion. While all BIA schools recived government funding, “ the Bureau of Catholic Indian Missions through an organized drive to establish mission schools garnered the lion's share of government funding.”
The fifth section, Lack of Specialized Training for Teachers of Indian Students, covers the institutional aspect of why the American government never quite saw the results it was looking for by creating BIA schools. He mentions that many of the teachers lacked creativity in the classroom and that most of the instruction was “…purely mechanical drill.” The Civil Service Examination that teachers took in the 1890’s didn’t test how well the teachers were at instructing students, but only covered general knowledge, making it hard to find teachers who were well qualified to teach Native American students. Teachers were also not inclined to care for their students’ lives outside of the classroom, because they were trying to teach them that those lives were “unsuitable,” making it hard for any teacher who cared to make a difference. Many teachers who did care gave up because the feat was too great.
He closes the article with a section titled, Twentieth Century Criticism of Indian Education, which acts as a reflection of the entire article and the failed policies surrounding the education of Native Americans. He quotes one critic who stated, “the administration of Indian affairs [is] a national disgrace -- A policy designed to rob Indians of their property, destroy their culture and eventually exterminate them.” The general consensus shares the same feeling, which can be a reason for the reversal of suppressive policies.
The article, “American Indian Language Policy and School Success” was written by Jon Reyhner. The article takes a historical view on how American Indian Language Education has been affected through multiple government policies. In October 30th, 1990, President Bush signed the Native American Language Act, stating that the United States and Native Americans should work together to make sure Native American culture is preserved. Native American schools funded by the government are allowed to use Native American language to teach. There are three important points to this Act. First, it has been continued from the policy of Indian self-determination that has been going on for twenty years. Secondly, the act is opposite to the United States government historical policy to restrain Indian language in the Bureau of Indian Affairs and other schools. Finally, the act is a counteraction to the pursuit to making English the approved language of the United States.
ReplyDeleteRayhner discusses the history of American Indian Language suppression, in oder to create awareness on how to prevent the same mistakes in the past, which led to the downfall of American Indian education. There were arguments over if English should be taught in Native American schools instead of American Indian languages. When missionaries switched over to English language for education, the quality of American Indian literacy declined. The major argument against teaching Native American languages is that the expression in their languages is limited. Report of the Indian Peace Commissioners states Peace Commissioners were appointed by President Grant to investigate the Indian educational system. The Peace Commissioners reported that Indian wars on the frontier were caused by language barriers between the natives and the whites.
Boarding schools were utilized for Indians to attend for a few years, in order to obtain a white man's education. If any schools tried to educate using American Indian language the funding would be pulled from the school. From 1885 to 1888 Commissioner of Indian Affairs stated that Native American Indian language was barbaric and teaching it denied a good grasp of an American education. Missionaries objected to this notion, arguing that teaching in the native language caused Indian students to stay engaged. During the anti-Catholicism period many missionary schools stopped receiving government funding.
In the articles section titled, lack of specialized training for teachers of Indian students, the article talks about the problem of English teaching being purely memorization with no understanding for English learning students. In the section about Twentieth Century criticism of Indian education, Reyhner talks about the problems Indians have when returning from boarding school, and how they can not integrate back into the reservation culture. After WWI and the Great Depression the U.S. was headed for a plentiful economy, so the Indian New Deal was passed. Schools were placed on Native American land and were trained to teach using the Native American language. Native American textbooks were beginning to become published. After WWII started, grants were no longer available. By the end of WWII the government opinion was that outside school Native American students were not provided with the proper environment to continue learning. Education was often looked at from a non-traditional aspect, coming from the elders of the native tribes. So, off-reservation boarding schools were re instilled. There was also complaints about the uncomfortable interactions between parents and teachers, also the lack of parent participation was an issue. Rehyner goes on to talk about the constant barrier battle between Native American culture and English education.
by Brooke Jackowski
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I really enjoyed this article. I personally believe that subjects must first be taught in one's native language. The only way someone can learn is through their own frame of reference. If a person doesn't know or understand the language then he/she will not understand complex concepts. Relating material and concepts to the student in a way that he/she can understand is the only way to eliminate language barriers. Also, the language barrier between parents and teachers is only making matters worse. This topic is no different than any other culture we have discussed throughout the semester. Disregarding a culture is not going to bridge the gap of communication.
ReplyDeleteThis article was interesting to read. There was a Native American Language Act which was about the U.S. having responsibility to act together with Native Americans to make sure the unique cultures and languages survive. The act also ensured Native Americans to express themselves in public and not be restricted. Personally, I think people are taught to learn language as they're growing up and taught in their own native language to understand things better. I also think culture should not be ignored because it will not help bridge the gap of communication and will just make it worse. Ultimately, I think people should be able to learn their own culture and the American culture to be more knowledgeable of others.
ReplyDeleteI thought this article was interesting, because I have read a lot about Native American's history. I think this article is supposed to be for Native Americans, but at the same time it seems like the author is going against them. Regardless, Native Americans should have their own language, their own culture, and their own schooling just like any other culture should be allowed. I think it only makes sense that Native Americans should be able to use their language whenever and wherever they want. Not everyone in the United States speaks English and people should discriminate against Native American language, and make them give up their rights to their culture.
ReplyDeleteI didn't really like this article all that much because the author seemed to be slightly discriminatory towards Native Americans. It's possible that I may have just misunderstood his tone, though. I just think it's horrible that Americans feel the need to suppress anyone who is not the majority in this culture--we don't only do it to Native Americans we do it to everyone. Technically, this country belongs to the Native Americans and yet some of us are trying to suppress their culture and make their language less important than the English language. I think the American Language Act is a positive thing because it reserves the Native American culture.
ReplyDeleteThis article was very interesting, and both did a great job of summarizing. The article was interesting because the U.S. tried to force other to learn English first without realizing any sort of consequences. What has happened to Native Americans is awful, and anything the U.S. does cannot change the genocide that occurred many years ago. The way people learn, especially people from other cultures, is different; for example, I didn't learn English until I was in K, and it was difficult to learn. I was forced to learn it because my teacher didn't know what to do with me. It was very traumatizing.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all, I like the article and think they are good summaries as well. In the article, American Indian Language Policy and School Success by Jon Reyhner, talked about the educational language policy. The government found that they have responsibilities to protect their own languages and cultures. They tried to say English is a Native American language instead of American Indian Language so that they want to change the English as an official educational language. If they keep American Indian Language in education, it is hard to find teacher who can speak or know it well. Therefore, there is argument between Native American language and culture.
ReplyDeleteThe excerpt was a very interesting piece to comprehend about. Native American Language Act took into effect when the U.S. took responsibility to act together with Native Americans to make the unique cultures and languages survive. The act also gave Native Americans to express themselves in public and not be restricted. Personally, I believe the Native American culture is great! This past weekend I attended an event hosted by the Native American Council which was called "Powwow" and the event gave out the Native Americans to show the way the dance and do rituals. I was able to also try some of there foods and how they live on a day to day basis. The event was thriller and a great event to attend. Lastly, I do believe that the summaries written by the two were great and they did a great job pinpointing out the most important information in the article. Well done!
ReplyDeleteI did not like this article much in comparison to the others that we have read. First of all, it seem to be very against Native Americans. You could tell by the tone that it was very discrimative. Like the author was looking down upon them simply because they are not like everyone else. I am very interested in any culture other than my own, and I am very open minded to their differences. Even though some problems may arise, I am glad that they are not trying to conform and the act will save their language and culture.
ReplyDeleteI found this article to be interesting and yet sad at the same time. I felt as though the feeling of the Native Americans were not taken into consideration. The thing I found most interesting was the fact that the government tried to make people learn English without taking into account the effects of it. People are taught and adapt to things differently so I think it's wrong for the government to try to make people learn this specific language. If people are taught things in their own native language, then of course they would get a better understanding of thing because they comprehend it better.
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting article. I was unaware of everything the article discussed. I couldn't believe that their languages had been suppressed before, and that there are people who think it would be a good thing to do it again. I also found it interesting that an entire population could speak, and write in English and still have no idea what it meant. I guess that either shows how horrible the school systems can be, or how strongly the Native American feel about their own languages. I think these languages need to be supported and preserve their culture, history, as well as help them to become educated.
ReplyDeleteI thought the article was very interesting especially since the beginning of my teaching I've been hearing about Native Americans. When I was im middle school teachers taught us that Native Americans were actually the first people on land here, and how Europeans forced them out of their own land and made them slaves. The stories are plentiful, but what this article did was take a closer look at not only their language but how they felt about their state of suppression as a people.
ReplyDeleteThis article was pretty interesting. This brought to life the extreme suppressing that Native Americans have faced since the English landed in America. I was unaware however, that their language was suppressed as well. It was also interesting to hear the statistic that the majority of the Indian students went back home after learning in English missionary schools were now unable to function with their tribe way of life. However, I was not aware that there was some attempt at least early on by missionaries to incorporate the Indian language in the schools, although it did not last very long. Overall, I thought this was an interesting article that everybody benefited from reading.
ReplyDeleteI would like to know how the U.S. government went about deciding what is best for the Native American education system. Its not really too surprising to that Native American Language was suppressed and others wanted it to stay that way. Considering we started off giving them small pox filled blankets and killing off all the buffalo or lets not forget the permeant reminder of mount Rushmore (a Native American holy mountain turned into a shrine for the white men who came and screwed over the NATIVE people). So the United States government first trying to band their language really comes as no surprise. Although I think to then make a law years later ( after the culture has been through one hell of a transformation) that permits Native American languages to be used in school systems is a step in the right direction ( a step mind you, not a marathon). However more could and should be done to make learning a language easier. I think to be surrounded in a language just, like any first language, is best. Therefore, It will take many years for the Native American people to gain that knowledge back, since Native Americans have had to stifle their language for so long.
ReplyDeleteThis article was kind of confusing but once I grasped what the author was trying to say I realized how important it is. Communication is very important in everyone’s lives. One is taught language as he or she grows up from a child into adulthood; in this case of the Native Americans culture should not be overlooked because it will not help to bridge the gap between communications. Although in our society today it is more common and more prominent to be knowledgeable of multiple cultures and their languages; as we are seeing more and more bilingual people. However forcing people to learn a second language is not right, it should be one’s own choice and not something that is forced up him or her. In forcing someone to do that, society is stripping them away of their rights to be their own person and learn what they want to learn.
ReplyDeleteI found this article to be interesting. I agree with Kendra when she said that people have to first be taught their native language in order to understand complex issues. I can certainly see where many students felt that this article was offensive toward the Native Americans. I agree with previous students when they say that it was wrong of the government to enforce the English language on the Native Americans and that perhaps if they were taught in their own language they would have had a better grasp on the language. Personally I was unaware of some of the issues in this article.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed this article. I liked how the author
ReplyDeleteidentified with the complexity of language. Like other rticles this was something I never thought about. As a native english speaker I never thought of the obstacles that come with learning another language. The summaries were great as well. Good job kendra!
The article “American Indian Language Policy and School Success” by Jon Reyhner beings discussing the “Native American Languages Act.” This Act stats that the United States has a responsibility to act with Native Americans in order to make sure that the Native American Language and culture stays intact. The act gives Native Americans the right to express themselves with the use of their Native American Langauge in public proceedings. The article then went on to discuss the lack of desire that most Native Americans felt to learn English. They didn’t want to learn the new language and heavily perfered to stick to their Native Dialect. This made it hard for settlers to teach English to the Native Americans. When Navajo children were put in publick schools 95% of them were not able to take part in Navajo life and did not learn the known customs of their people.
ReplyDeleteThe preservation of a culture is something that is always important. There are many different things to be learned about one's own culture through the eyes of another. Making sure that the Native American language does not get lost amongst other parts of history is something that I find very important. Within the article, the Native Americans did not want to adopt a new language simply because someone else said that they should. The way in which they spoke did not affect the way in which they interacted with each other.
ReplyDeleteI believe that this is one of the best articles that we have read for the semester. I like how president Bush wanted to preserve the Native American language by passing the bill. I think that the Native American language is one of the most beautiful languages that we have in America, and i like the fact that years ago missionaries wanted to help the Cherokees perserve their language. Of course for anything that has supporters you will also have people that oppose. The main debate was that Native Americans should only be taught english while they are in school or else they would academically behind. I believe that they should have gotten the right to choose how they wanted to learn and not be told.
ReplyDeleteThe article, “American Indian Language Policy and School Success” was written by Jon Reyhner. It started by discussing the “Native American Languages Act”, which stated the United States has a responsibility to act together with Native Americans to make sure the unique cultures and languages are preserved. The act also stated “the right of Native Americans to express themselves through the use of Native American languages shall not be restricted in any public proceeding, including publicly supported education programs.” I think people are taught to learn language as they're growing up and taught in their own native language to understand things better
ReplyDeleteThis article was very informative. Some of this information is very helpful to me seeing that my mothers great grand parents were Native Americans. I find it kind of strange how Americans thought they knew the best way to teach Natives a new language. I don't believe that the Americans really gave the native any other option but the learn the Americans ways. The way they taught them was good. They adapted to their way of life without really losing their culture. Made me proud to have Native blood in my veins.
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