Visions and Voices

Joseph (Jay) H. Stauss

There continues to be a lack of Indian faculty role models at the university level. While there are many reasons for this, we often forget that education in mainstream universities is not relevant to tribal people. Indeed, we have to work hard to make today's education relevant to anyone.  Many of the native students I talk to would rather work in law, medicine, social work, or another profession where they think they can "make a difference." There is a great future for Tribal Colleges, where you can meet community needs and educate youth for mainstream challenges at the same time. They are struggling now, but, given time, I look to these special institutions of higher education to be role models of the future. 

Education has always been important to me and it's what keeps me going. I can't imagine a fate worse than to stop learning. The progress that Indian Nations have made in the past 50 years is based on education. Successful tribes are those which have maintained their language, culture , and sovereignty. They have done these things largely through education. 

Education should never be seen as a cure-all or silver bullet, but without it, little else matters.

Tribal affiliation: Jamestown Band S'Klallam
Dr. Stauss is Director of U of A American Indian Studies and Professor of American Indian and Family Studies

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