Rupert Steele, chairman of the Confederated Tribes of Goshute Reservations, said U.S. and Utah histories taught in schools that start with Christopher Columbus in 1492 eliminate the past of American Indians. That leaves students believing their tribal histories are being ignored and there's not much they can be proud of, he said.
"It sends a strong message that their history doesn't matter, and many of them lose motivation in school," Steele said here Tuesday during the second annual Native American Summit.
Education, health care and economic development are the top discussion items this week during the two-day, state-sponsored conference, which drew about 175 people, from state agency leaders to tribal council members.
Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. met privately with a handful of top tribal leaders for about an hour Tuesday before addressing the audience at Southern Utah University's Hunter Conference Center. He said he initiated the summit to develop relationships among state officials, educators and tribal leaders so they can "get beyond talk" and help "improve human conditions."
Seeing that Utah and the tribes share air, water and land, "we must work together," he said.
"I'm for one tired of hearing of issues that are 25 years old," Huntsman added.
Huntsman noted there have already been changes as a result of tribal-state communication, including a rule that was changed so some state agencies can now recognize tribal documents. Utah tribes are now included on statewide emergency and preparedness plans.
Tribal leaders appreciated the willingness of Huntsman and Lt. Gov. Gary Herbert to meet with them. Huntsman's summit is the first of its kind in Utah.
"Thank you for reaching out to us," Navajo Nation President Joe Shirley Jr. said. "I appreciate the doors being open." Yet, Shirley and others also bemoaned the continuing lack of cultural recognition of American Indians at the federal and state levels. It's vital, Shirley said, that all students are taught in the public schools about American Indian history, languages and culture.
Goshute leader Steele suggested that Utah pass an act similar to other states, where students have access to American Indian classes and teachers go through special training. When it comes to helping tribal students pay for college, Manuel Heart, chairman of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, suggested that Utah follow other states in starting a special license plate to raise money for an American Indian college fund for students to attend state schools.
Several leaders said education is the No. 1 priority on their reservations because they want their students to earn a college degree and return to improve their tribe.
Tribal leaders said they are trying to develop business and investment plans for the reservations as well as taking advantage of the public and private resources available to them. Shirley said the Navajo Nation plans to raise millions by opening casinos and developing a water project.
"We don't want to be dependent on anybody," he said. "We want to stand on our own."
* The five major tribes in Utah are the Ute, Navajo, Paiute, Goshute and Shoshone, according to the Utah Division of Indian Affairs.
* In the 2000 census, American Indians numbered 40,445 in Utah, making up about two percent of the state's population.
* The state's highest concentrations of American Indians are in Salt Lake County (30 percent of the overall population) and San Juan County (20 percent), according to the census.
