Date of Award

Fall 12-1-1998

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Educational Leadership

First Advisor

Rebecca W. Libler

Second Advisor

Gregory R. Ulm

Third Advisor

Robert Boyd

Abstract

The Cherokees have always been known for being leaders of all Native Americans and for their broad-mindedness in education. It has been a population that has valued education throughout its known history and has always placed an emphasis on educating its own people. Education has become a means to improve not only their children's ability to read, write, and interpret but to help them understand and maintain the Cherokee history, culture, language, and traditions and to help prepare their youth for the future. This Cherokee historical analysis from the early 1800's to the present time was studied and reviewed to ascertain to what extent the past was implemented in the current school system. This study described the relationship between the Cherokee past history and its incorporation into the modem educational system. Original source materials, chronicles of Cherokee history, interviews, and on-site observations have been documented. This reflection has the possibility to be used not only in the study of Native American culture, but also to understand to what extent past history has influenced Cherokee administrators in curriculum structure to prepare students for the 21 st century. It was ascertained that the administrators, teachers, and staff in the Cherokee Central School System on the Qualla Boundary in Cherokee, North Carolina have initiated and committed their energies and resources to provide meaningful, comprehensive programs and a diverse, varied curriculum that teach students to be productive and responsible citizens while preparing them for the 21 st century.

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