The Consequences of Cultural Conflict for Native American Students: Retention, Social Integration and Culture Heather Johnson Undergraduate Research Initiative Grant Charles P. & Zona Kemp Loomis Endowment Advisor-Prof. Sandra Way Mentor-Alison Folsom

Introduction Native Americans Lowest retention rates of any ethnicity Lack of indigenous or minority based theories and paradigms Impact of Historical trauma & assimilation policies Lower socio-economic classes Disparity between AI’s cultural resources & the college’s expectations

Concepts & Terms Acculturation – The process through which beliefs, behaviors, and values are transferred from one culture to another to form an integrated culture Retention -1 st/full-time student’s return to college the following fall

Cultural capital (Bourdieu, 1973) – “the [cumulative] knowledge that confers power and status.” – Inherited from parents/family through socialization Cultural conflict – Educational systems contribute to social inequality – Advantageous cultural capital in college environment – Individualism Theoretical Framework

Proposition Cultural Conflict between the university setting and Native American collectivist values Native American students from traditional and/or rural origins more likely to experience difficulties than Native American students from other backgrounds

Methodology Qualitative interviews – NMSU transition to college interdepartmental research – Active interview format – Self-selective AI non-transfer 1 st time freshmen – Fall 2006 – Research is ongoing

Statistical Results American Indian HispanicAnglo Re-enrolled FA0757.4%74.0%75.7% Did not re-enroll in MA or BA FA %26%24.2% 1,722 first-time freshmen who are American Indian, Hispanic or White and were enrolled on Main Campus in Fall 2006

Lydia “I think I loss more of my culture coming to college because there are some things that I am seeing in a different way than I used to back home. I noticed I had to broaden my mind a lot more…it’s more of a group thing, we believe in the ‘we’ part.” Pathway to Success – Family Support – American Indian Friends – American Indian Program – Traditional Background Barriers to Success – Culture Shock – Negative Stereotypes – Lack of Social Control

Alicia “Indian kids have a different way of thinking, we have a really circular way of thinking which is why…a lot of times its hard for us to grasp such linear concepts because we know there’s always more to it, there’s always another variable.” Pathway to Success – Family Support – AIP resources – Obligation to give back – Familiarity with college & faculty Barriers to Success – Racism & Negative Stereotypes – Socio-economic Discrimination – Historical trauma consciousness

Simon “I don’t know what I’m going to do, I really don’t care to be honest.” Pathway to Success – Challenging Coursework – Family Support – Grew up in Las Cruces Barriers to Success – Family Pressures – Vague Goals

Conclusion Traditional/Rural/Reservation – Collectivist values – Financial support Family Tribe – Emotional support Family Friends Community Mentors – Ethnic niche – Bicultural/multicultural competency – Emerging themes – Strong sense of cultural identity

Recommendations Literature – Indigenous/minority theories & paradigms – Cultural sensitivity training – Holistic teaching methods – Special preparation programs – Native American post-secondary issues – Student’s families, communities and tribes Interview – Greater variety of programs (Lydia & Simon) – Smaller classes (Alicia & Simon) – Living & Learning Community (Alicia) – American Indian Program (Alicia) – Cultural sensitivity training (Alicia)