Abstract
Abstract
In 2003, the US Commission on Civil Rights found that American Indian students do not receive the same educational opportunities as other American students. To address this inequality, the Rocky Mountain Tribal Leaders Council, in partnership with Allyson Kelley and Associates PLLC led an American Indian college student evaluation internship experience from May 2015 to August 2017. Methods: A qualitative case study design was used to examine how the summer evaluation internship impacted students. Semi-structured interviews were conducted by the first author in February 2018. Interview questions focused on skills and knowledge gained, interest in public health-related professions, and recommendations for improving the internship experience. Results: Qualitative themes highlight the importance of internships to increase skills, support career preparation, find meaning and cultural connections, facilitate community engagement, and increase communication skills. The results of this evaluation underscore the importance of reservation-based programs that provide equal and equitable education and opportunities for American Indian students.
Recommended Citation
Kelley, Allyson; Witzel, Morgan; Fatupaito, Bethany; Bingham, Dyani; Restad, Desiree; and Posey, Sadie
(2022)
"American Indian Student Internships and the Pursuit of Equity in Education,"
Journal of Indigenous Research: Vol. 9:
Iss.
2021, Article 11.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/kicjir/vol9/iss2021/11
