Journal of American Indian Education

Volume 1 Number 3
May 1962

BOOK REVIEWS

American Indians and Their Economic Development, Fred Vegot, Editor, Ithaca, N. Y., Society for Applied Anthropology, Cornell University. Vol. 20, No. 4, Winter, 1961-62; $2.00.

This book contains a collection of well-written and informative articles directly related to the field of Applied Anthropology. This collection should be a valuable source of information to those directly working with Indians and tribal organizations, as well as those interested in the significant. area of Applied Anthropology.

Among the articles included in this issue are: "Building Indian Economies With Land Settlement Funds," by Robert L. Bennett; "Economic Development and Self Determination, The Northern Ute Case," by Gottfried 0. Ling; "Kiarnnth Livelihood, Tribe, and Reservation," by Stem; "San Carlos Apache Cattle Industry," by Harry T. Getty, "A Comparison of Income Source Between Two Indian Communities," by Tom T. Sasaki and Harry W. Basehart; as well as additional articles by Newton Edward, Carl Eicher, Robert Euler, Henry Bobins, D’Arcy McNickel, Erna Gurthcr, Stuart Jamieson, Wesley Hurt, Jr., Gene Lagasse, and Gordon McGreagor.

The reviewer enthusiastically, and without reservation, American Indians and Their Economic Development. It has met an obvious need and provides current data on important topics.

Handbook for American Education, Robert A. Roessel, Jr., (Los Angeles 5, California: Amerindian Publishing Company, 1962) 167 -P iii p. $4.95.

Robert A. Roessel, Jr’s. book, Handbook for Indian Education, is a comprehensive guide for the teacher of Indian children. It is an excellent introduction to the considerations and problems a teacher of Indian children must be aware of.

The book, divided into three sections, begins with a consideration of the two foundations of Indian education, its history and the given child with his culture. In presenting the child within his culture, i.e. the whole child whom the teacher must consider, Roessel draws from numerous publications is well as from the rich background of his own experience, making the text fascinatingly interesting reading. This section also contains a survey of the intelligence and achievement testing which has been done in this area.

Section II, "The Classroom and Indian Education", is designed to point out "specific modifications in techniques and in curriculum which are desirable for those who are concerned with Indian Education." It includes the areas of reading, social studies, English as a foreign language, and oral English The teacher will find the many techniques and the suggested readings invaluable, but she also is encouraged to develop creatively her own curriculum from the theories and considerations here presented.

In Section III there are three interesting case studies of Indian children at different levels in school. There are also various "Personal Documents, "including personal stories by Indian students. The author states, "The documents included in these chapters, if carefully analyzed and studied, should provide an additional degree of understanding so essential, if we as educators are to operate more efficiently and effectively in teaching Indian students."

The beauty of the book is enhanced by many photographs; its value, by a list of suggested readings following each chapter and check lists of specific suggestions within many of the chapters. This handbook is a source of information the teacher will turn to again and again not only for practical suggestions or for evaluation of his work but also for that continued inspiration so essential to effective teaching.

 

 
 
[    home       |       volumes       |       editor      |       submit      |       subscribe      |       search     ]