Tribal Education: Local Native American students share stories of their college experience

Project by: Logan Patmon, Sean Bradley, Jeff Smith, James Gasco and Jordan Oster

CMU junior Kristopher Anderson, a member of the Grand Traverse Bay Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indian, dances at the 24th annual Pow wow at McGuirk Arena Saturday, March 24, 2013. (Photo by Jordan Oster)

Examining the higher education experience for Native Americans at Central Michigan University, our team looked at many issues within this particular experience.

The project covered many elements impacting Native Americans in the Michigan higher education system. Looking at the financial aspect of higher education, we found out how the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver effects those students, not only financially but socially as well. We looked at how events such as the 24^th Annual CMU Pow wow shape and impact the traditions and Native culture, talking with pow wow participants about how their culture and education meld together. Talking to older Native Americans gave the project context, finding out how places such as the Mount Pleasant Indian Industrial Boarding School impacted those generations who attended the school and future generations who are now looking to attend a higher education institution.

By incorporating videos, photos and written elements, the story of the Native American higher education experience is told in many different ways.  

The full project website may be viewed by clicking here.