Creating valuable indigenous learning environments

Abstract

Indigenous governments are growing in size and strength. As a result, indigenous issues are becoming more frequently and prominently in the public administration landscape. Whether it is natural resource management, culturally appropriate foster home placements, or eradicating known drug trafficking routes that cross tribal jurisdictions, there are a multitude of ways that federal, state, and local public managers may encounter indigenous issues. Incorporating indigenous learning environments into public administration programs will not only serve to further the needs of indigenous students, but will also strengthen public administration programs as a whole. Our method for creating a learning environment that embraces indigenous students is to incorporate indigenous issues into the core curriculum, include indigenous ways of knowing into the program, provide for indigenous focused student assessment, and ensure cultural appropriateness. This four-pronged approach will ensure that an indigenous valued learning environment is part of any public administration program.