The Land You’re On: Acknowledging the Haudenosaunee

College Horizons is a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to increasing the number of Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian students succeeding in college and graduate programs. Since 1998, we have served over 3,300 Native students on their path to higher ed through our admissions and financial aid workshops.

While the number of Native American students on college campuses has increased over the last 50 years, this broad trend—while good news—presents a fragmented understanding of these students’ participation in and access to higher education.

Students and alumni reflect on their experiences as Native American students.

The U.S. once used schools to try to exterminate Native language and culture. A new approach would build on indigenous values, languages, and strengths.

The Canadian educational system is at a crossroads when it comes to embracing the future of Aboriginal people. Over the years, researchers have reported on the poor performance of Aboriginal students due to the effects of Eurocentric teaching pedagogies and culturally irrelevant curricula that do not reflect Aboriginal culture, language, values, or worldviews. Literature reviewed throughout this paper highlights the significance of integrating Aboriginal perspectives in school curricula and of fostering a sense of belonging. The literature examines four themes: past Eurocentric teaching models and the encompassing effects that they have had on Aboriginal students, changes needed to prepare teacher candidates for teaching Aboriginal content, inclusion of Aboriginal content in classroom teaching, and positive effects that inclusion of Aboriginal content has had for Aboriginal people. The paper concludes with suggestions for further research that will address what is missing in education for Aboriginal youth today with regard to self-identity and sense of belonging.