The assumption underlying this question is to inquire whether cultural identity is still the most important factor that leads to indigenous students' success in higher education in the 21st century and beyond. Can we define a successful indigenous student as a person who succeed in mainstream education without his or her native ethnic identity? How can we better define or reconceptualize so-called a successful, or good, indigenous student?
I think this is a very important question about how to cultivate the next indigenous generations, and look forward to other feedback or any thoughts on this topic.
If we have a range of assumption or definition for successful indigenous college students, we will have a clear cultivation program or educational system that can equip indigenous students for more diverse society or challenging world.
I would argue that Indigenous students will need a lot of hard work to learn their native cultures, languages, and histories first, then need various support systems to guide them how to go back and forth between mainstream world and their own tribal communities, without losing their ethnic identities.
For instance, indigenous students will need to learn more languages, especially their mother tongues, and then master their local mainstream languages; if any, they may need to learn English as well.
Second, they will have to learn their cultures substantially, and engage their cultural activities effectively. Then, they will also learn how to transform themselves when they are required to survive non-indigenous societies economically, academically, and socially. If they want to engage in that field smoothly, they may need to obtain the better skills than dominant people.
Other requirements will go on if we try to expect a kind of trans-cultural identity and capacity for successful indigenous students. Speaking of these points right now, can you imagine how difficult our future indigenous college talents will face in the process of their learning and professional training.
I assume that the above definition is just one of the successful indigenous college students. What about other characteristics do they need now and in the future?
Do you have a particular context in mind? And are you looking at this from an Indigenous perspective? Here are a few useful references in the Australain context by Indigenous academics.
Andersen, C. (2012). Teacher education, aboriginal studies and the new national curriculum. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, The, 41, 40-46.
Arbon, V. (2008). Arlathirnda Ngurkarnda Ityirnda: Being-Knowing-Doing, De-colonising Indigenous Tertiary Education. Teneriffe, QLD: Post Press.
Ford, P. L. (2010). Aboriginal Knowledge Narratives and Country: Marri kunkimba putj putj marrideyan. Brisbane: Post Pressed.
Kinnane, S., Wilks, J., Wilson, K., Hughes, T., & Thomas, S. (2014). ‘Can’t be what you can’t see’: The transition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students into higher education Retrieved 8 October 2014 from http://apo.org.au/files/Resource/olt_cant-be-what-you-cant-see_2014.pdf.
Mackinlay, E., & Barney, K. (2012). Pearls, not problems: Exploring transformative education in indigenous Australian studies. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, The, 41, 10-17.
Nakata, M. (2007). The Cultural Interface. Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 36(Supplement), 7-14.
Nakata, M., Nakata, V., Keech, S., & Bolt, R. (2012). Decolonial goals and pedagogies for Indigenous studies Decolonization: Indigeneity, Education & Society, 1(1), 120-140.
Nakata, M., Nakata, V., Keech, S., & Bolt, R. (2014). Rethinking Majors in Australian Indigenous Studies. The Australian Journal of Indigenous Education, 43(Special Issue 01), 8-20. doi: doi:10.1017/jie.2014.3
Thank you for these useful references in the Australian context by Indigenous academics, John. I major in comparative and international education; so Australian references are important to shape this question as well. I will review these good sources. Hope we can continue our conversations regarding this issue.
I'd be glad to Che-Wei.you might be able to help me too, from an international perspective. Thanks
I see the indigenous student in Canada today with a bit of an advantage over non-native Canadians in that he/she is probably bilingual, exposed to two cultures and many more customs.
All these extras have developed a more mature individual capable of considerable success in the chosen field of study.
Thank you Mike for your feedback. It appears that bilingual and bicultural capabilities are the key to succeed in two or more different social structures.
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