The American Indian Education KnowledgeBase : Element 2 : Activity 2 : Task 1: Understand Traditional Tribal Values
Guideline: Traditional American values sometimes stressed in classrooms may conflict with traditional tribal values Indian students may bring from home. Educators may stress the importance of students having high self-esteem, however the values of many tribes stress the importance of humility. American Indian students may be taught to be quiet when they are around adults and not to show off. They may be embarrassed if publicly praised and want to "stand in" rather than "stand out" among their peers. In addition, traditional American values tend to stress individualism over group responsibility. One student helping another may be considered cheating by an educator, although the student may well be exhibiting the important tribal values of generosity and sharing. Educators understanding these tribal values are able to more fully appreciate how to interact with their American Indian students.
Various lists of contrasting cultural values between American Indians and Euro-American immigrants can be found in articles, books and on the web. As Hap Gilliland notes in his book Teaching the Native American, "none of the generalizations in these lists apply to any one person from either group, but they are something to think about when one observes and works with students."
This article from the American Indian Policy Center offers reflections on the role of the elders in the American Indian communities. It gives suggestions on how the Elders' knowledge and experience can be blended into the education of younger American Indians.
This article by Dr. Jon Reyhner, Northern Arizona University, explores the virtue of humility in relation to self-esteem, pointing out how self-esteem is primarily a western value. Through a series of vignettes he illustrates how traditional values have sustained Indian communities through the trials they have endured.
This resources provides a listing of common symbols used in American Southwestern Indian arts with their typical cultural meanings.
The Manataka American Indian Council provides an overview about the symbols of the American Indian.
As described by the American Indian Policy Center, "traditional American Indian leadership displayed several distinct characteristics that developed out of a longstanding history of cultural traditions and values." In this article on traditional tribal leadership they proceed to describe the basic values surrounding the tribes' approach to leadership.
Wisdom of the Elders Radio series offers a series of programs addressing Historical Intro, Elder Wisdom, Speaking Native, Sacred Landscape, Tribal Rhythms, Health and Healing, Artists Circle, and Turtle Island Storytellers. "The Wisdom of the Elders Radio series has been funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail at National Park Service, Benton Foundation's Sound Partners for Community Health, National Endowment for the Arts, and Oregon Arts Commission."
"Four Directions Teachings celebrates Indigenous oral traditions by honoring the process of listening with intent as each elder or traditional teacher shares a teaching from their perspective on the richness and value of cultural traditions from their nation." It offers videos discussing culture and values of five First Nations in Canada (Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk, and M'ikmaq).
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