A proposal request for a

Native American Task Force on Student Success

At Portland State UniversityBy Dr. Cornel Pewewardy

Director and Professor of Indigenous Nations StudiesJanuary 18, 2013

Ideal personality is someone who shows kindness to all

Who puts the group ahead of individual wants & desires

Who is steeped in spiritual & ritual knowledge

Person who is expected to display bravery, hardiness & strength against enemies and outsiders

Person who is adaptable & doesn’t complain about problems one cannot naturally change

1492 is referred to as the “contact” period

Some tribal leaders refer this as “interference” or “interruption”

Common however is a strong belief in individualism & pursuit of material gain

History of colonization is one of successive takeovers to erase any semblance of indigeneity

Within the context of a learning institution, INST speaks to revitalization of tribal

languages & traditional pathways of action & freedom

Indigenous Ways of Knowing

The arrival of Europeans on this continent changed the traditional pathways of Indigenous Peoples

Synthesis of Findings• Disparities exist across all institutions addressed in

the report. • It is worse here than in King County (home to

Seattle) for Native Americans

• It is worse here for Native Americans than USA averages

• These disparities are worsening over time

• These comparisons show that policy can influence outcomes

•The policy landscape is failing the Native American community

•We can and must reverse these trends

Native Americans in Multnomah County: An Unsettling Profile

Billy-Johnson-(SNAKE’HAWK)http://www.flickr.com/photos/11506033@N03/5346860655/

Returning to Our

Traditional Ways of Knowing

Indigenous paradigm incorporates the idea of renewal.

Native American Task Force Goals

Goal One: Increase the number of Native American/Alaska Native (AI/AN) students at Portland State University with at least 5% of Native American/Alaska Native students.

Goal Two: Retain the number of Native American/Alaska Native students enrolled full-time at Portland State University. Establish sustainable pathways for AI/AN students that integrates research based effective practices with community based, culturally responsive student support systems unique to the needs of Native students.

Advisory CommitteeUnited Indian Students in Higher Education (UISHE)

American Indian Science & Engineering Society (AISES)PSU Student Activities & Leadership Programs (SALP)

PSU American Indian Urban Teacher ProgramOregon Indian Education Association

Indian Education Programs, Portland Public SchoolsNative American Student & Community CenterNative American Youth & Family Center (NAYA)Siletz Education Department, Portland Office

Grand Ronde Education Department, Portland OfficeWarm Springs Education Department

Umatilla Education Department

Hiyu MasiIndigenous Nations Studies acknowledges and recognizes tribal peoples’

centuries-long fight to reconstitute Indigenous sovereignty, which includes the right to self-governance and cultural self-representation. We want be a part

of the solution and not the problem.