Gadugi: Reclaiming Native American Education through a Culturally Reflective Pedagogy

The history of American Indian education has been one of colonialism and cultural erasure. From the first missionary educators who first came to the Indigenous nations of the Americas well into the twentieth century, Native children have been subjected to physical, mental and emotional abuse. This p...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Author: James A. Bryant, Jr.
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Athens Institute for Education and Research 2023-11-01
Series:Athens Journal of Education
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.athensjournals.gr/education/2023-10-4-7-Bryant.pdf
_version_ 1797289230130479104
author James A. Bryant, Jr.
author_facet James A. Bryant, Jr.
author_sort James A. Bryant, Jr.
collection DOAJ
description The history of American Indian education has been one of colonialism and cultural erasure. From the first missionary educators who first came to the Indigenous nations of the Americas well into the twentieth century, Native children have been subjected to physical, mental and emotional abuse. This paper examines one program’s efforts at reclaiming the educational process for American Indian children and youth through an immersive, culturally relevant and reflective pedagogy. The Gadugi Partnership is a dual enrollment collaboration between Appalachian State University and Cherokee High School that endeavors to use traditional Cherokee values and practices within the classroom to promote Cherokee culture, history, and language. With particular focus on the ancient Cherokee ideal of gadugi—service—I argue that this model of education holds promise for making formal education responsive to the needs of Cherokee youth, as well as allowing them the chance to practice and promote this ideal within their community. The Cherokee people have always valued education; it is time education value the Cherokee people. I will argue that the methods and approach of the Gadugi Partnership is a step in that important direction.
first_indexed 2024-03-07T19:02:00Z
format Article
id doaj.art-0283d4694d7f452cb48cbf64e3b5da00
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 2241-7958
language English
last_indexed 2024-03-07T19:02:00Z
publishDate 2023-11-01
publisher Athens Institute for Education and Research
record_format Article
series Athens Journal of Education
spelling doaj.art-0283d4694d7f452cb48cbf64e3b5da002024-03-01T12:26:42ZengAthens Institute for Education and ResearchAthens Journal of Education2241-79582023-11-0110468570010.30958/aje.10-4-7Gadugi: Reclaiming Native American Education through a Culturally Reflective Pedagogy James A. Bryant, Jr.0Gadugi Partnership Director, Appalachian State University, USAThe history of American Indian education has been one of colonialism and cultural erasure. From the first missionary educators who first came to the Indigenous nations of the Americas well into the twentieth century, Native children have been subjected to physical, mental and emotional abuse. This paper examines one program’s efforts at reclaiming the educational process for American Indian children and youth through an immersive, culturally relevant and reflective pedagogy. The Gadugi Partnership is a dual enrollment collaboration between Appalachian State University and Cherokee High School that endeavors to use traditional Cherokee values and practices within the classroom to promote Cherokee culture, history, and language. With particular focus on the ancient Cherokee ideal of gadugi—service—I argue that this model of education holds promise for making formal education responsive to the needs of Cherokee youth, as well as allowing them the chance to practice and promote this ideal within their community. The Cherokee people have always valued education; it is time education value the Cherokee people. I will argue that the methods and approach of the Gadugi Partnership is a step in that important direction. http://www.athensjournals.gr/education/2023-10-4-7-Bryant.pdfindigenous educationhistoryculturally responsive pedagogycherokee educationgaduginative americans
spellingShingle James A. Bryant, Jr.
Gadugi: Reclaiming Native American Education through a Culturally Reflective Pedagogy
Athens Journal of Education
indigenous education
history
culturally responsive pedagogy
cherokee education
gadugi
native americans
title Gadugi: Reclaiming Native American Education through a Culturally Reflective Pedagogy
title_full Gadugi: Reclaiming Native American Education through a Culturally Reflective Pedagogy
title_fullStr Gadugi: Reclaiming Native American Education through a Culturally Reflective Pedagogy
title_full_unstemmed Gadugi: Reclaiming Native American Education through a Culturally Reflective Pedagogy
title_short Gadugi: Reclaiming Native American Education through a Culturally Reflective Pedagogy
title_sort gadugi reclaiming native american education through a culturally reflective pedagogy
topic indigenous education
history
culturally responsive pedagogy
cherokee education
gadugi
native americans
url http://www.athensjournals.gr/education/2023-10-4-7-Bryant.pdf
work_keys_str_mv AT jamesabryantjr gadugireclaimingnativeamericaneducationthroughaculturallyreflectivepedagogy