"Native students are pushing a number of tribal community colleges, state universities and Ivy League schools to claim record enrollment numbers in 2006.
But Native students' needs aren't always a priority.
Last week, I provided a media lecture to American studies and history students at Yale University. Assistant professor Alyssa Mt. Pleasant later arranged for a casual dinner to meet with Native students at Yale.
It proved to be an interesting contrast, given a few days earlier I had the opportunity to talk with Native students at the University of Montana.
While at Yale, I met with Indian students at the Asian/Native American Cultural Center, a campus building shared by both Native and Asian students. The interior dcor reflected an eclectic mix of paintings, wall decorations and furniture from both cultures.
The students, others and I talked about media issues. But I also had the chance to ask about Native life at Yale. On this day, the students were excited. For too long, they had asked Yale's leaders to hire an assistant dean to support Native students.
After all, the university had hired assistant deans for the Asian, black and Hispanic campus students. But it seems Native students at Yale didn't have enough clout, given their small numbers. Even though they are touting record enrollment numbers this year, only some 75 Native students attend the university."
Get the Story:Jodi Rave: Native students lacking services (The Missoulian 11/25) Relevant Links:
Jodi Rave - http://www.missoulian.com/jodirave Related Stories:
Jodi Rave: Native veterans are the unsung heroes (11/13)
Jodi Rave: Election Day for Indian Country (11/9)
Jodi Rave: Northern Cheyenne teen survives cancer (11/6)
Jodi Rave: Native candidates seek more Native votes (11/2)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (10/30)
Jodi Rave: An environmental role for Natives (10/26)
Jodi Rave: Burns and Tester seek Indian vote (10/23)
Jodi Rave: Rehberg and Lindeen tout tribal issues (10/23)
Jodi Rave: UN to honor Chief Arvol Looking Horse (10/18)
Jodi Rave: Tribes bless site of Native center at UM (10/16)
Jodi Rave: Tribes to bless Native center at UM (10/11)
Jodi Rave: Play brings treaty to life for students (10/10)
Jodi Rave: Tribe rallies against drugs and abuse (10/9)
Jodi Rave: Open college doors to Native students (10/4)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (10/2)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/26)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/25)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/22)
Jodi Rave: Series on violence against Native women (9/18)
Jodi Rave: More Native students enter college (9/11)
Jodi Rave: Campaign seeks Native marrow donors (9/6)
Jodi Rave: Sharing tribal histories of Sacagawea (9/5)
Jodi Rave: Native athletic events an inspiration (8/28)
Jodi Rave: Cultural revival on the reservation (8/21)
Jodi Rave: Accurate media coverage of Natives (8/10)
Jodi Rave: From the Chickasaw Nation to Broadway (8/7)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous summit at base of Bear Butte (8/1)
Jodi Rave: Fire Thunder steps into ring of fire (7/31)
Jodi Rave: Dangerous policy on Native ancestors (7/28)
Jodi Rave: Cobell worried about settlement legislation (7/24)
Jodi Rave: Documentary explores Indian land (7/24)
Jodi Rave: Gathering celebrates Native women warriors (7/17)
Jodi Rave: HUD releases block grants for tribes (7/10)
Jodi Rave: Montana Natives win at Indigenous Games (7/7)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous Games kick off in Colorado (7/4)
Jodi Rave: Indigenous Games propel indigenous rights (7/3)
Jodi Rave: Tribal housing hurt by HUD decision (6/29)
Jodi Rave: Passing on the stories of the people (6/26)
Jodi Rave: Ulali carries on singing tradition (6/20)
Jodi Rave: Churchill fabricated history of my people (6/19)
Jodi Rave: Native family gets help with first home (6/12)
Jodi Rave: Express tribal identity at graduation (5/30)
Jodi Rave: Trendsetters at UM Indian journalism (5/22)
Jodi Rave: Immigrant marchers belong to Native America (05/08)
Jodi Rave: Tribes alarmed at trust reform initiative (04/03)
Jodi Rave: Racial tensions in border communities (04/03)
Jodi Rave: Program to help Natives in legal system (02/14)
Jodi Rave: Tribal employee admits to fraud in Iraq (2/13)
Jodi Rave: Tribal political donations debated (2/9)
Jodi Rave: Native people object to school mascots (2/6)
Jodi Rave: Garcia calls for settlement of Cobell (2/3)
Jodi Rave: Native conservation a focus of conference (2/2)
Jodi Rave: Chippewa Cree artist honored for work (1/27)
Jodi Rave: HUD loans a success in Indian Country (1/23)
Jodi Rave: Burns to celebrate birthday with lobbyists (1/19)
Jodi Rave: Sen. Burns ignored Cobell, tribal issues (1/17)
Jodi Rave: King speech still matters to Indians (1/16)
Jodi Rave: Black Indians struggle for acceptance (12/05)
Jodi Rave: Deloria represented human adventure (11/17)
Jodi Rave: Applause for Gov. Schweitzer at NCAI (11/07)
Jodi Rave: Natives pay for health care with lives (10/24)
Jodi Rave: Group to propose Tribal Justice Act (10/10)
Jodi Rave: Blackfeet citizens invest in their future (10/03)
Jodi Rave: Media needs more Native journalists (9/23)
Jodi Rave: Indian Country guide an essential tool (09/13)
Jodi Rave: Free press in Indian Country a big issue (08/15)
Jodi Rave: The best fry bread in Indian Country? (7/29)
Jodi Rave: Tragedy on the Red Lake Reservation (07/11)
Jodi Rave: Blackfeet opera lacks authenticity (07/11)
Jodi Rave: Reporting on reservations is improving (06/02)
Jodi Rave: Hope remains after mother's passing (05/11)
Jodi Rave: Fewer and fewer Indians in newsrooms (04/25)
Jodi Rave: 'No Media' sign at Red Lake not for me (04/14)
Jodi Rave: Indians don't pay taxes and other myths (03/11)
Jodi Rave: Deloria unknown because he's Indian (01/24)
Jodi Rave: Native participation needed in politics (01/10)
Jodi Rave: What was 'Kokopelli' professor thinking? (12/15)
Jodi Rave Lee: It feels good to be a grandmother (11/23)
Jodi Rave: Native veterans denied home loans (11/11)
Jodi Rave: Indian issues need more than a month (11/9)
Jodi Rave Lee: Protecting rights of Native voters (11/04)
Jodi Rave Lee: Trail tells story of Nez Perce (10/12)
Jodi Rave: Mixed emotions surround NMAI opening (09/27)
Jodi Rave Lee: Native image on coin inspires pride (09/14)
Jodi Rave Lee: Indians, Iraqis have much in common (08/30)
Jodi Rave Lee: Gag order sign of poor leadership (08/09)
Jodi Rave Lee: Native presence can't be denied (08/02)
Jodi Rave Lee: Warrior spirit gives Natives hope (07/06)