Native American Educational Leadership in the Pacific Northwest

Abstract

University of Washington Abstract Native Educational Leadership in the Pacific Northwest Denise M. Bill Chair of the Supervisory Committee: Dr. Kathy Kimball College of Education The increase in reservation based schools and community colleges bear witness to the value of Indigenous knowledge. Continuing in the footsteps of our ancestors, Native Americans who provide examples of leadership, my inquiry examines contemporary Native Educational Leaders. The following research attends to the importance of Native American Educational Leadership and the transfer of knowledge from our elders to our youth. I interviewed nine educational leaders who are highly respected in the field of education and within the extended community, asking the following questions: * How do you find a cultural balance within your educational practice and leadership? * How do you maintain this cultural balance when making life and career choices? * What contributions and influences do you have or have you had on Native Education and leadership. * How do you perceive Native students today and the new challenges they face? To substantiate my thesis that Native American Educational Leadership is valuable, I interviewed nine local elders. Their contributions to Native American Education in the Pacific Northwest is recognized within the Native community nationwide, and by educators interested in culturally competent curriculum. The research utilizes the Sacred Circle as a primary foundation to analyze and ground the interviews and supportive literature.