Starting in fall 2002, students can minor in
Native American studies, said Danny Bell, program assistant for American studies
at the University, in a news conference Tuesday.
Students will be offered a variety of history courses including an introduction
to Native American studies, Native Americans in the West, Native Americans in
film and Native American women. Several anthropology classes and one art class
will also be available this fall.
Bell said the new minor is important because
students can gain "awareness of the Indian culture and how it has contributed
to American society." He also hopes the minor will help Indian students
on campus find a comfort zone if "other students see their view."
Compared to the 24,180 students and 2,420 professionals
enrolled at the University, there are 121 Native American undergraduates, 44
graduates and 20 professionals, said Bell. This discrepancy keeps the Indian
students on campus from acting as advocates for change.
"American Indian students are viewed -
depending on your view - as part of the majority or minority," Bell said.
The small number of Indian students on campus makes them a minority, but when
minority issues are discussed the students are regularly forgotten.
Bell said the biggest issue for Native American
students is the transition from local Indian communities to Chapel Hill. The
University does not offer the same support system that their communities provide,
and students feel like they do not fit into any categories.
The lack of Indian role models, staff and culturally
relevant programs add to these feelings of isolation. Bell said overall the
push for Native American awareness is moving in a positive direction but "change
happens very slow."
The University joins the University of North
Carolina at Wilmington and the University of North Carolina at Pembroke as the
only schools in the state that offer a minor in Native American studies. UNC-P
also offers a major in the field.
In addition to on-campus improvements, Bell
said he hopes to receive funding for adult and youth leadership training in
local Indian communities, and he is looking forward to the National Indian Education
Association's 2003 meeting, which will be held in North Carolina for the first
time.