The Navajo nation's struggle for educational self-determination

Abstract

Developing nations across the world have in the past and are still today struggling to establish systems of education which meet the cultural and societal needs of their peoples. Such is the case of the native American Indian tribe known as the Navajo, living on a 6000 square mile reservation in the western United States. The Navajo nation is a semi-sovereign nation having the rights of internal government including commerce, law enforcement, social services and, in a few respects, education. Presently, the tribe is struggling to gain control over the various governmental entitles furnishing educational services to its children. Its goal is to develop its own independent educational system much as any other developing nation might do. The Navajo tribe is not alone among American Indian groups located primarily in western United States who desperately wish to preserve their unique native heritage, language, and culture. These groups feel that by control of their children's schools tribal cultures can be preserved and even strengthened. The Navajo tribe is the largest group with the greatest amount of political influence. If the Navajo can control and develop their own system of schools, either separate or in partnership with the federal government and the several state governments, the path for other tribes will be opened. Thus, the success or failure or the Navajo effort to develop and control a Navajo ‘system’ of schools is critical to the survival and enhancement of native American cultures in the United States.