http://www.sltrib.com/news/ci_6869008

Tribal leaders: Culture absent in education
Lack of Indian legacy in curricula makes pupils feel 'their history doesn't
matter'By Jennifer Sanchez

The Salt Lake Tribune

Salt Lake TribuneArticle Last Updated:CEDAR CITY - It's no secret that
American Indians are struggling to graduate from high school and get into
college. But Utah tribal leaders said the poor academic showing might be
the result of students not feeling valued.

Rupert Steele, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of Goshute Reservations,
said U.S. and Utah histories taught in schools that start with Christopher
Columbus in 1492 eliminate the past of American Indians. That leaves
students believing their tribal histories are being ignored and there's not
much they can be proud of, he said.

"It sends a strong message that their history doesn't matter, and many of
them lose motivation in school," Steele said here Tuesday during the second
annual Native American Summit.

Education, health care and economic development are the top discussion
items this week during the two-day, state-sponsored conference, which drew
about 175 people, from state agency leaders to tribal council members.

Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. met privately with a handful of top tribal leaders
for about an hour Tuesday before addressing the audience at Southern Utah
University's Hunter Conference Center. He said he initiated the summit to
develop relationships among state officials, educators and tribal leaders
so they can "get beyond talk" and help "improve human conditions."

Seeing that Utah and the tribes share air, water and land, "we must work
together," he said.

"I'm for one tired of hearing of issues that are 25 years old," Huntsman
added.

Huntsman noted there have already been changes as a result of tribal-state
communication, including a rule that was changed so some state agencies can
now recognize tribal documents. Utah tribes are now included on statewide
emergency and preparedness plans.

Tribal leaders appreciated the willingness of Huntsman and Lt. Gov. Gary
Herbert to meet with them. Huntsman's summit is the first of its kind in
Utah.

"Thank you for reaching out to us," Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr.
said. "I appreciate the doors being open." Yet, Shirley and others also
bemoaned the continuing lack of cultural recognition of American Indians at
the federal and state levels. It's vital, Shirley said, that all students
are taught in the public schools about American Indian history, languages
and culture.

Goshute leader Steele suggested that Utah pass an act similar to other
states, where students have access to American Indian classes and teachers
go through special training. When it comes to helping tribal students pay
for college, Manuel Heart, chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe,
suggested that Utah follow other states in starting a special license plate
to raise money for an American Indian college fund for students to attend
state schools.

Several leaders said education is the No. 1 priority on their reservations
because they want their students to earn a college degree and return to
improve their tribe.

Tribal leaders said they are trying to develop business and investment
plans for the reservations as well as taking advantage of the public and
private resources available to them. Shirley said the Navajo Nation plans
to raise millions by opening casinos and developing a water project.

"We don't want to be dependent on anybody," he said. "We want to stand on
our own."

* The five major tribes in Utah are the Ute, Navajo, Paiute, Goshute and
Shoshone, according to the Utah Division of Indian Affairs.

* In the 2000 census, American Indians numbered 40,445 in Utah, making up
about two percent of the state's population.

* The state's highest concentrations of American Indians are in Salt Lake
County (30 percent of the overall population) and San Juan County (20
percent), according to the census.