Volume 10 Number 1
October 1970

PICTURES of the future leaders of Arizona’s Indian tribes accompany this article. True, they may not each become nationally known, or achieve singular distinction in their lifetime. But throughout the past two years, while active in the All-Indian Upward Bound program at Arizona State University, they have become aware of their destiny.

The most desperate need of that destiny is Indian leadership for Indians. Outside speakers, invited for a day of conference with the Indian culture classes, outlined the many problems facing the native American in today’s world. Always the leadership theme prevailed, and the students freely discussed what was expected of them.

Core courses of English, reading, arts and crafts and Indian culture were augmented by "elective courses" of mathematics, business communications, music, typing and Spanish—each held one hour daily, five times a week, from June 15 to July 30. The instructors took care to coordinate the underlying objectives of the program into each of the core courses. However, the Indian culture hour became a qualifying agent, where the young people could especially ask questions and receive answers.

In its fourth year of the pilot program, the AIUB project has served 160 high-school age Indians. Through its highly-individualized concepts and tutorial offerings, more than half have proceeded to college or other higher education. (This summer’s group returns to their senior year in high school, returning next year for further instruction and assistance.) The program gives the young Indian an incentive to adapt into a complex world by striving toward higher education, and to help his own people.

Some of the questions asked the students included: "What kind of an Indian do you want to be?" "Are you really religious now in the way of your ancestors?" "Do you start the day with a positive viewpoint and complete the day positively in spite of hard work and frustrations?" "How do Indian values play a role in your everyday life?"

The students were told that a leader (in any society) "must be willing to pay the price—to stick his neck out." Leadership is a 24-hour-per-day job, and a leader doesn’t watch the clock, doesn’t follow the crowd, can’t be popular, expects to be stabbed in the back by pettiness, to suffer setbacks, and to be ridiculed. However, the true leader must go on even when there is no inspiration, A leader must follow through on an issue to complete his end—commitment is the word for a tribal leader."

"If you really want to help your people, don’t be afraid to speak out," the students were told. When a community need is seen, it should not become an issue, but an involvement of the people sitting down with the community leaders and planning a solution.

Throughout the AIUB program, education is the dominate theme. Project director George A. Gill, assisted by Gabriel Sharp and the seven instructors and eight tutors, sees to it that the students never lose sight of this important goal—the one that will enable them to become competent leaders tomorrow.