Native Case Studies

Enduring Legacies: Native Case Studies

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Enduring Legacies: Native Case Studies

Engage your students and expand your curriculum with case studies on Native American subjects.

Featured Case Studies

Drawing of a stereotypical Indian Chief head with a red circle crossed out through it. The words around the red circle read "Indians are People Not Mascots" and in the red circle the text reads "No Stereotypes in our schools". The image credit reads: Designed by Barbara E. Munson (Oneida). This is the logo of the Wisconsin Indian Education Association 'Indian' Mascot and Logo Taskforce"
Should Indian Sports Mascots Be Repealed?
Gary Arthur
Concerns about racism, a lack of sensitivity to diversity, stereotyping, sexism, oppression, and lack of Native American entitlement make up a partial list of issues raised in connection with the use of Native American mascots. Those who support mascot use contend that these mascots praise the traditions and culture of the Native Americans. Language supporting the monitoring or banishment of…
Photograph of women, young adults and children from the Suquamish Tribe in modern clothing, standing in front of a large mural wall that depicts bears rowing a canoe on top of a killer whale. The art style of the mural is typical of Pacific Northwest Native artwork.
Are Tribal Compact Schools the Answer to Improving Native Student Success in Washington?
Teresa Winstead, John Hopkins and Michael Vendiola
This case describes the recent Tribal Compact School movement in Washington State which aims to address persistent issues in the educational experiences of Native students. The case explores the rationale for tribal compact schools and other educational initiatives in Washington and the experience of three tribes—the Suquamish, the Muckleshoot, and the Lummi Tribes—that have established…
Photograph of water trickling out of a large metal pipe into a river. The pipe is embedded within a hill of dirt and the view of the photo is looking into and through the pipe.
Pacific Northwest Salmon Habitat: The Culvert Case and the Power of Treaties
Jovana J. Brown, PhD and Brian Footen
American Indian tribes in the Pacific Northwest signed treaties with the federal government in the 1850’s that preserved their right to fish in their “usual and accustomed” fishing grounds. The tribes have had to continually fight to have this right recognized. U.S. v. Washington, 1974, the Boldt decision, upheld this fishing right and ruled that the tribes were entitled to 50% of the harvestable…

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About This Project

The Enduring Legacies Native Cases Initiative develops culturally relevant curriculum and teaching resources in the form of case studies on key issues in Indian Country.

Culturally relevant curriculum is a key factor in student success and essential to prepare students for leadership roles. Key topics of our cases have been identified by Native leaders. Our partners in developing and using these cases are Northwest Indian College, Salish Kootenai College, and Grays Harbor College.

Learn more about the Native Cases project