How does a Native American student’s exposure to “ways of knowing” impact their higher education success?

This study seeks to gain a better understanding of the phenomenon of Native American students in higher education and understand their experiences with Native American Ways of Knowing. These are cultural and traditional ways of being; in the Native American communities Ways of Knowing means being involved with Native American traditional aspects of culture, language, ancestorial grounds, ceremonies, and daily practices that lead an individual to a more balanced lifestyle and can be used in a student’s higher education journey. To understand this phenomenon, this case study investigated the narratives of Native American students enrolled in Little Eagle Indian Nations College (pseudonym), one other Native college, and one non-Native college. A qualitative case study investigated whether the students were incorporating Ways of Knowing into their academic trajectories, and if so, how? This case study research framework utilized the in-depth interviews and narratives of the participants together in the findings. Overall, the findings validated the use of Ways of Knowing in the students’ lives and in their academic experiences. Several factors emerge supporting the use of Ways of Knowing and how it helps the students. Building on the findings of prior literature these findings can be used to establish relevant processes, policies, resources, and training for higher education faculty and colleges. In the findings, Chapter 4, several key themes emerged to support the experiences and understanding of Ways of Knowing in higher education: The Native American tribes, historical and generational trauma, Ways of Knowing, identity, language, land, higher education and giving back, Little Eagle Indian Nations College, bridging two worlds. Within each of these themes, subthemes emerged as listed in Chapter 4.

Name thesis:degree_name

Ed.D.

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educ Policy, Orgzn & Leadrshp

Grantor

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2022

Author dc:creator

• Mc Gowan, Sarita Rivera

Contributors dc:contributor

• Hood, Denice W.
• Pak, Yoon
• Cope, William
• Kalantzis, Mary

• American Indian
• Indian
• Native American. Ways Of Knowing
• Higher Education

Statement dc:rights

• © 2022 Sarita Rivera McGowan

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/117695

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F117695