University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

American Indian tribal identity in the 21st century: exploratory narratives of American Indian college students at predominantly white institutions

Smith, Beverly Jean

Content Files
SMITH-DISSERTATION-2017.pdf

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/97419

Description

Title
American Indian tribal identity in the 21st century: exploratory narratives of American Indian college students at predominantly white institutions
Author(s)
Smith, Beverly Jean
Issue Date
2017-04-21
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Denzin, Norman
Doctoral Committee Chair(s)
Pak, Yoon
Committee Member(s)
  • Zamani-Gallaher, Eboni
  • Davis, Jennifer
Department of Study
Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp
Discipline
Ed Organization and Leadership
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
Ph.D.
Degree Level
Dissertation
Date of Ingest
2017-08-10T19:15:37Z
Keyword(s)
  • American Indian
  • Exploratory narrative research
  • Qualitative
  • Indigenous research methodology
Abstract
This study explores the identity of American Indian college students who have attended a predominantly white institution within the 21st century. This study responds to the needed inquiry of research and literature about and for American Indian college students by American Indians. ‘Stories within stories’ is the overall framework centralizing Horse’s (2005) American Indian Identity list of the 5 consciousnesses as the point of reference for aiding in defining American Indian and tribal identity. The qualitative exploratory narrative puts research into action not only as a form of resistance (Kovach, 2005) but to establish American Indian identity throughout this dissertation research process with indigenous research process considerations (Tuhiwai Smith, 2013; Wilson, 2008). The literature reviews the overall American Indian higher education pipeline including the formation of American Indian tribal identity beyond the erasure in research, literature and sociohistorical institutions. Through their narratives, the 7 co-researchers who identify as American Indian tribal people confirm the inclusion of Horse’s (2005) five areas of consciousnesses. Spirituality was the dominant theme of empowerment but also central in their narrative of their self-definition. The conclusion and discussion of this dissertation study aims to inform and improve the understanding of empowerment of American Indian students and its insight for student affairs theory, practice, praxis and pedagogy.
Graduation Semester
2017-05
Type of Resource
text
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/97419
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 2017 Beverly Jean Smith

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