A program at Miami University in Ohio offering language and cultural revitalization for members of the Miami Tribe of Oklahoma has led to graduation rates more than double the national average for Native American college students.
For many minority students, especially individuals of Native American heritage, attending a predominantly White university is a daunting prospect. Whether it is an unfamiliar culture or a sense of isolation, students may struggle and retention may be an issue.
The opposite is true at Miami University, where members of the Miami (Myaamia) Tribe of Oklahoma can attend tuition free and engage in a series of specialized courses that introduce them to their tribal language, culture and history. Through the Myaamia Center, which evolved from the Myaamia Project that began in 2001, students are able to cultivate a sense of identity that strengthens their focus and determination.
“The pride that the students feel in learning about, growing and developing their identity has innumerable positive effects, including academic achievement, persistence, and the development of life goals and social well-being,” says Dr. Joseph E. Schroer, a clinical faculty member in the Department of Educational Psychology and one of a team of researchers organizing a study of Miami Tribe students’ experiences at the university.
“We are able to talk about how the knowledge of cultural heritage, language and sense of building family and community contribute to strengthening these students’ lives and the world around them,” he adds.
Myaamia Center
The history of the Miami Tribe connects it to areas of Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Illinois until the 1800s, when they were driven from their land. To a large extent, they were discouraged from speaking their language. In the latter part of the 20th century, the tribe and Miami University developed a relationship, and scholarship funds were made available to qualified tribal students as of 1991. Presently, 32 Miami Tribe students are on campus.
