What the dominant society can't give me: Perceptions of Native American elders teaching native traditions

An area of concern in using elders in Native American prevention and treatment programs is that many younger tribal members no longer respect and seek out elders to learn the traditions. The purpose of this study is to gain insight into the process of enculturation via the teachings of Native elders through the perceptions of Native American college students. A total of nineteen Native American students were interviewed in their last year of undergraduate studies. The methods of data collection included primary data collection in the form of one-on-one extended, structured interviews composed of open-ended questions. The results indicated Native grandparents were viewed by these participants as being a vital connection to Native traditions and identity. Comparative research can explore the perceptions of Native grandparents in their motivations to teach traditions. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved) (journal abstract).