Native American and World Indigenous
Indigenous Peoples: Identities and Social Transformation
Fall, Winter, Spring/Coordinated Study
Faculty: Carol Minugh, Kristina Ackley
Prerequisites: Sophomore standing. All students participating in community service
at a detention facility for juveniles must have a police clearance.
Faculty Signature: Yes. Students must submit a one-page letter of interest and
goals to Carol Minugh, The Evergreen State College, Lab I, Olympia, WA 98505.
A list of accepted students will be posted on Carols office door, Lab
I 1023, after the Academic Fair, May 10, 2000, or students can call Carol for
confirmation, (360) 866-6000, ext. 6025.
Special Expenses: Travel expenses to community service project sites and potential
overnight field trips.
Internship Possibilities: Yes, spring quarter with faculty signature.
Travel Component: Overnight field trips.
This program is designed for students interested in learning about the cultural,
social and political struggles of Native Americans and other indigenous people.
The curriculum will focus on identity: How are these people identified,
by themselves and by others? and What does it mean to be identified
as indigenous to insiders and outsiders? The program will address the
myriad of other social and political issues related to identity and social change
experienced by people who have been invaded and colonized. Contemporary issues
surrounding indigenous peoples will be addressed along with the economic/political
ramifications of colonialism. The linguistic and cultural genocide experienced
and the resulting cultural changes will be highlighted throughout the year.
Students will be given the opportunity to share what they are learning about
other cultures with incarcerated youth.
In addition to the academic program, some students will participate in community
service working with incarcerated youth. A major focus of this service will
be providing cultural classes, assisting in the Gateways for Incarcerated
Youth project. Students will take a leading role in identifying opportunities
to build on what the youth want to learn as well as strengthen individuals and
community through learning about culture and heritage and the stresses between
races. One of the projects goals is to bridge the gap between incarceration
and college. Students must pass a police clearance to participate.
- Credit awarded in Native American studies, cultural anthropology, indigenous
studies, modern colonialism and practicum in juvenile justice.
- Total: 16 credits each quarter.
- Program is preparatory for careers and future studies in social work, community
organizing, juvenile justice, politics, anthropology and cultural studies.
- This program is also listed in Environmental Studies, Culture, Text and
Language and Social Science.
Fall, Winter, Spring/Coordinated Study
Faculty: Gary Peterson, Yvonne Peterson, Michelle Aguilar-Wells, Jeff Antonelis-Lapp
Prerequisites: Consult coordinator.
Faculty Signature: Yes
Special Expenses: Expenses related to at least two visits to the Olympia campus
each quarter and two visits to the various Reservation sites.
Internship Possibilities: No
Travel Component: Four weekend visits to the campus or Reservation site each
This community-based and community-determined program seeks tribal members
and other students who work or live on a reservation.
The program emphasizes community-building within the Native American communities
where classes are held. Students and tribal officials design the curriculum
by asking what an educated member of an Indian nation needs to know to contribute
to the community. The interdisciplinary approach provides an opportunity for
students to participate in seminars while also studying in their individual
academic interest areas.
Curriculum development for the academic year begins with community involvement
the previous spring. Students and tribal representatives identify educational
goals and curriculum topics. A primary goal of this process is the development
of students ability to be effective inside and outside the Native community.
Using suggestions received, the faculty develop an interdisciplinary curriculum
and texts, methods and resources to assist the learning process. Students make
the learning appropriate to their community.
Within the framework of the identified curriculum, the premise is that an educated
person needs to have skills in research, analysis and communication. Material
is taught using a tribal perspective and issues related to tribal communities
are often the topics of discussion. Scholarship and critical thinking skills
are assessed as part of student evaluations.
This program is primarily designed for upper-division students seeking a liberal
arts degree. Program themes change yearly on a rotating basis. The theme for
200001 is leadership. Natural resources is integrated into the program
For program information, call Gary Peterson, program director, The Evergreen
State College, Lab 1, Olympia, WA 98505, (360)866-6000, ext. 6021.
- Credit distribution relates to specific curricular foci and topics adopted
in the program.
- Total: 16 credits each quarter. Students may enroll in a four-credit course
each quarter with faculty signature.
- Program is preparatory for careers and future studies in human services,
tribal government and management, natural resources, community development,
Native American studies and cultural studies.