Login with Facebook Register | Lost Password
Skip to Content
  • National African American History Month:

    February is National African American History Month! To view websites on African American history, click here.

  • KnowledgeBases:

    MC3's KnowledgeBases are topical collections of information and resources on specific subject areas. To see available KnowledgeBases, click here.

  • Common Core State Standards: MC3 has weblinks on Common Core State Standards, including information on assessment, equity issues, funding, implementation, special populations, and state resources. Check it out here.

KnowledgeBases > 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.
Guidelines Cultural Values
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."
References Helping Younger Generations Face Challenges _EXTERNAL_LINK
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.
References Humility vs. Self Esteem: What Do Indian Students Need? _EXTERNAL_LINK

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.

References Symbol Dictionary _EXTERNAL_LINK
This resources provides a listing of common symbols used in American Southwestern Indian arts with their typical cultural meanings.
References Symbols of Indigenous Peoples _EXTERNAL_LINK
The Manataka American Indian Council provides an overview about the symbols of the American Indian.
References Traditional American Indian Tribal Leadership _EXTERNAL_LINK

This link is to an article by the American Indian Policy Center, describing the basic values surrounding the American Indian tribal approach to leadership.

References Wisdom of the Elders _EXTERNAL_LINK

As noted at its website, the "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."

Presentations Four Directions Teachings _EXTERNAL_LINK

This website offers videos discussing culture and values of five First Nations in Canada (Blackfoot, Cree, Ojibwe, Mohawk, and M'ikmaq). As noted at its website, "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." 

Print Print this page

Next: Task 2: Be Aware of the Need for Cultural Group Identity


The contents of this website were developed under a cooperative agreement from the U.S. Department of Education. The information presented on this website is intended for general reference purposes only, and information/linked content is not necessarily endorsed by the Mid-Continent Comprehensive Center or the U.S. Department of Education.