Clan, Sage, and Sky

Colleges and universities retain Native American and Latino college students at lower rates than other ethnic groups even when culturally based services, financial assistance, and support are provided. College teaching and conceptions of learning have yet to evolve on a widespread basis toward culturally diverse epistemologies and practice. This narrative inquiry explores meaning making of 50 Native, Hispano, and Mestizo American students about their learning in a variety of contexts including face-to-face and online college courses as well as learning at home, in extended family and tribal contexts. The study also explores teaching practices students identified as most helpful to their learning and success. Underlying cultural constructs emerged from narrative analysis in eight areas of learning.