Native American Religion and Education - Term Paper Example

Sur Problems and impact of education on the indigenous religions The native religions seemed quite different from those professed in Europe. Examples of these communities include the Iroquois Dakota and apache. For these groups rather than passing written forms of communications, they taught the belief by the word of mouth. This constituted numerous sets of ideas or strict doctrine. Therefore, education in these indigenous groups proved challenging.There are many challenges that face education when educating among the Native American religions.

First, for the educators they need to maintain close bonds with the residents for them to be accepted (Alberts 23). Whereas the natives can educate others about their cultures, they need someone to stay with them for some period of time in order to teach them. Besides, Brindley argues that the individual must prepare for successful participation in their culture and understanding the culture of these people for them to understand them (page 33). Teaching through ethnography is not only challenging but also complex (Alberts 24).

This is because, their religious beliefs only permits them to learn from the locals. Therefore, for the foreigners it takes time before they can start teaching. Besides, these people will only learn through oral face-to-face communication (Alberts 24). Hence, this poses a challenge where in some cases face-to-face education is not possible.Secondly, the established schools should embrace the local culture. According to Brindley, the natives will only accept, respect and support that institution that teaches the native religion (page 34).

This means for integration of the education system to these communities they should be inclined towards teaching the values of the indigenous religion. Whereas this may not seem to be a major issue, it has a greater impact on teaching other forms in this community, as other types of religion seem incompatible with their education system. Besides, establishing education institutions in these places is challenging (Gorman 44). Though initially received with rejection the cultural and religious views of the local people are adjusting to accommodate the current education.

Both Alberts and Gorman agree that, religious beliefs and practices are in constant reshape with the dynamic environmental situations and interaction with other religion (page 33, 13). Schools are validating both the contemporary and traditional religions for their students. Inversely, the traditional education is also contributing to the larger multicultural society (Brindley 34). Therefore, the educators need to identify effective strategies to strengthen this education system.One of the profound effect of education on the indigenous groups is cultural and religious exchanges.

With intensified education programs among these people, there have been interactions and these have resulted in the native people accommodating the diverse contemporary views (Alberts 34). This has been by ethnography. With this, the people have a broad perspective of life that differs from that of the native religious teaching. Besides, these people have accommodated the larger view of the world of technology (Alberts 23). With increased education, these communities are gaining access to the field thus more acceptance to the technological advancement (Gorman 34).

Either, it has been possible to accept the modern medicine something that was hard at first. Finally, whereas the education system geared to their religious beliefs is important in teaching them, academic diversity is of greater value in their learning (Hartz 115). They should learn to accommodate the view of other societies. Therefore, interaction with the complex multicultural diversities of the American society, it is possible to do this while keeping their identities (Alberts 23).To sum up, it has been challenging to penetrate the Native American religions and facilitate sessions of education.

However, with appropriate strategies diversification of education in these areas has been possible. Whereas they combine various methods, these religions have absorbed a bit of contemporary culture, therefore, helped in the progression of the larger community.Work CitedAlberts, Wanda. “The Academic Study of Religions and Integrative Religious Education in Europe.” British Journal of Religious Education 2010: 275–290. Web.Brindley, Thomas A. “Reforming Education: The Opening of the American Mind (book).

” Educational Studies 22.2 (1991): 162. Web.Gorman, C. Marshall. “Native American Religions: An Introduction.” American Indian Quarterly 7.3 (1983): 151. Web.Hartz, Paula. “Native American Religions.” Oral tradition (2006): 2006. Print.