Education

 
    When a farmer plants a seed to grow a crop, there is an unmistakable responsibility between the two.  The farmer waters and tends the plants to ensure that they grow, and grow healthy.  Like the farmer, society also has a responsibility with its youth to make them grow and prosper.  One of the ways society, "waters and tends" its youth is through the implementation of a formal education.  However, this traditional tool has been faltering as of late.  Throughout the Siletz Tribal community, the sentiment towards education has been one of dissatisfaction.
    The goal of this course was to bring various stakeholders together, each adding their views and perspectives on current cross-cultural issues facing the communities of Lincoln County, including: Lincoln City, Newport, Siletz, and Toledo. As we interviewed and listened to these stakeholders, we began to access the main issues facing the Siletz Tribe in today's society.  Reoccurring themes stood out amongst the community members.  Among these were lack of funding for schools, of which Siletz K-8 is slated to close, high drop-out rate of tribal youth, and cultural hinderances facing native students.

        The potential closure of the Siletz school is a deep concern to the citizens of the community.  There is a feeling that the possible closure will effect the sense of place a local school provides for youth, in addition to disrupting the community as a whole.

        The state of education is a common theme in both the tribal and non-tribal communities. The failure of Measure 28 and others of its kind are looked upon as abandonment of the youth and communities of Oregon.

        The tribal youth face an alarming and continuing disenfranchisement of education.  There are barriers of entry due to a lack of understanding, and barriers of exit due to a fear of non-acceptance in the community when returning.

        Native students are faced with the common assumption that they will not be going on to higher education.  Also, while in school, natives often are not tested for learning disabilities.  Once they overcome these obstacles, students are faced with the "sexy trend" of acculturation, and are intimidated by the shock of going into an anonymous environment.
 

Confederated Tribes of Siletz - This is a site where you can find information regarding upcoming events, employment, member services, history and general information about the tribe.

City Web Pages - You can find links to the visitor's bureau, city departments, a calendar of events, and many others.
Lincoln City
Newport
Toledo

Education Web Pages - You can find information on current issues regarding the school systems in Lincoln County and Oregon. On the Census web page, you will find information on graduation success rates, higher education statistics, population, and income trends.
Lincoln County School District
Oregon Department of Education
Oregon School Boards Association
Oregon Census Information
 

 
                                 Here we learn team building skills, and Katie is trying to draw a house...bahahaha
                                                        Here we take our first and last break to check out the beach- facilitating is so much fun...
 
 

Brian loves to ride in the van-- so does everyone else- see the smiles???

 
     Look at Ricardo fixing dinner with the boys- they can actually cook!!!


WEBPAGE BY:
 Brian Hoefling, Katie Settelmeyer, and Ricardo Larios