The
Native American/Indigenous Education Summit held at Cal State San Bernardino on March 23 was the first event of its kind to host conversations with state, federal and Tribal governments and examine institutional operations, pedagogical commitments and cultural responsivity to address the voices and needs of Native American and Indigenous students in post-secondary access, inclusivity and preparedness.
Hosted by the California Indian Nations College and Kumeyaay Community College, the free summit focused on the topics of equity, access and inclusion—while discussion topics included census and identity, cultural responsivity (curricula and student services), and equitable access to higher education.
Speakers included Naomi Miguel (Tohono O'odham), executive director of the White House Initiative on Advancing Educational Equity, Excellence, and Economic Opportunity for Native Americans and Strengthening Tribal Colleges and Universities; Stanley Rodriguez (Santa Ysabel Band of the Iipay Nation), director of Kumeyaay Community College; Tony Thurmond, state superintendent of public education for the California Department of Education; and James C. Ramos (Serrano/Cahuilla), San Bernardino state Assembly member and CSUSB alumnus; as well as Tribal chairs, native educators and native students.
According to the
Postsecondary National Policy Institute, 28% of the 18- to 24-year-old Native American population was enrolled in college in 2021 compared to 38% of the overall U.S. population, only 16.8% of Native American or Alaskan Native residents aged 25 or over have earned a bachelor's degree or higher, and Native American college enrollment has declined 38% since fall 2010.
Article picked up from Inside CSUSB.