Rationale
Imagination, or lack of it, is what creates the need for this curriculum, but more importantly the need to restore self-confidence, self-respect, self-esteem, and self-identity. The target audience of this unit is for the Din4 student, but it can be utilized by any Native Nation, or students of color. It’s not exclusive to oppressed peoples, but they are who I had in mind while writing this. The reasoning for this is American Indian/Alaskan Natives account for 1.5 percent of the United States population with 28% being under the age of 18. Suicide amongst Native people is the highest of all ethnic groups in the United States, so much so, that Lakota and Din4 Nations have declared their Nations in a state of emergency due to the high numbers of youth suicide. 32.4% of children under the age of 18 are considered to be living in poverty. Mortality rates from alcoholism are 514% higher than that of the general population, Diabetes is 177% higher than the general population. High school graduation rates for AI/AN is at 47% with high school dropout rates being double the national average. 1 out of 10 AI/AN over the age of 12 will be victim to a violent crime, while 1 out of 4 AI/AN women will be sexually assaulted in her lifetime.
This unit is created for students in the first and second grades. It is 98% Din4, with all children living on the reservation. 99% of students do not speak the Din4 language and 97% do not understand the Din4 language. Classroom sizes range from 18 to 25 students per class, with 60% or more reading below grade level.
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