Story Published:
Feb 2, 2010
Story Updated:
Feb 2, 2010
TOPPENISH, Wash. (AP) – For the first time, the Yakama Tribe is devoting casino earnings to financial aid for students this year.
Tribal leaders hope it will persuade the next generation of Yakamas to pursue higher education.
Native Americans across the country face more than their share of poverty, unemployment and substance abuse, which are all significant barriers to education. In Washington state, the dropout rate among tribal members is more than double the statewide average of 5.6 percent.
The Yakamas have also made changes to schools on the reservation, teaching traditional languages and customs in the classroom and working more closely with college recruiters.
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Thursday, Feb 25 at 4:13 PM IndianElder wrote ...
I hope that other tribes can do this for our future generations to come. We all need an education to survive, besides; our indian ways. Culture, traditional and Spiritual!
38275609Monday, Feb 22 at 7:29 PM Tribal Educator wrote ...
I was a poor Yakama student and am happy to hear there will be an opportunity for Yakama students to fulfill their educational needs. Yakamas consider putting some money away in a college fund! :)
38073241Wednesday, Feb 17 at 12:04 PM Tina wrote ...
I agree 100% with the Yakima Tribe in using the Casino revenue for higher education. We need all the encouragement in this issue for our people. This is a topic for an college essay I'm writing. More power to higher education for our Native people.
37748036Sunday, Feb 7 at 10:43 AM Wanbli wrote ...
Waste!
37160562Thursday, Feb 4 at 8:25 PM Native girl wrote ...
I'm Yakama, and I got only one word: Finally.
37022214Thursday, Feb 4 at 7:51 PM Youth Leader wrote ...
I agree that it's about time. Investment in students now will pay off in the long run. It needs to be more than just offering money to go to college. It needs to be a restructuring of the entire education system. A student will make up their mind long before their senior year about whether or not they will attend college. "Making college the norm" is a great program that will encourage students to spend their time working and preparing for college success.
37020439Tuesday, Feb 2 at 7:16 PM Indian Elder wrote ...
It's about time! I have relatives who want to go to college and I'm happy for the Yakama people. They deserve positive things in their lives like any other Tribal member of any tribe. They are using Casino money for a great asset and that's for out "Future generation!"
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