Motivation, Education & Prosperity

Make no mistake about it – Native Americans are facing an education crisis. Using nearly every available metric, our communities are struggling compared to other groups in the United States. Indeed, native students registered the lowest four-year high school graduation rate of any racial or ethnic group measured by the government. This problem is not new, but if it is not treated soon, it will compound, metastasize, and decimate the hard-won progress our community has made in recent years.

As we celebrated Native American Motivation Day last month in partnership with Mendocino College, we were reminded to seek a more prosperous future by identifying new sources of motivation that will create a better world for the next generation.

Motivation begins from within. Consistent with the values of Native American Motivation Day, the men and women of the Habematolel Pomo of Upper Lake Tribe have a proud history of encouraging young people to envision a path toward self-discovery. It cannot be overstated how important it is to ensure the next generation hones the intrinsic reward that comes from lifelong learning. It is an investment in the longevity of our community that will bring returns many times over.

But we have stubborn obstacles that must be eliminated in order to ensure that evolution takes shape.

From the lowest high school graduation rates of any racial or ethnic group, to declining ACT and SAT scores, to low proficiency in reading and math, to minimal access to Advanced Placement courses, just about every indicator illustrates the crisis facing Native American children today. In addition, our students are 30 percent more likely than their non-native classmates to be sent to juvenile court, which results in their early entry into the criminal justice system. This cycle begets a ripple effect for our communities when poor education leads to unemployment, which leads to substance abuse, which leads to incarceration and so on.

We can - and we must - break this death spiral. And part of closing the achievement gap requires closing the motivation gap as well. Not only will a motivation-driven education expand the knowledge horizons for our children, it will build the foundation for better careers, health outcomes and shared prosperity for the entire community. We also must hold ourselves accountable. As parents and grandparents, it is critical that we not only set aside time for enhancing the lessons taught at school, but also setting aside time for listing and cultivating the motivation that drives our children to pursue their dreams.

Together, I am confident that we can do it.

Our history is characterized by overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles. We embody the lessons of history in the hard-earned freedom expressed in our everyday lives. Our very founding in 1878 came from motivation expressed through the self-determination of extant tribes facing threats from all sides. Our renewed strength motivated the improved conditions both within and outside our community. Thanks to economic development, we’ve been able to act as a support system for our most disadvantaged members, providing care for our Pomo family. In addition, we’ve been able to spearhead initiatives to improve the lives of our close neighbors as well, making Upper Lake Pomo not only a source of strength for the Pomo people, but for the Upper Lake and Lake County region as a whole.

In recognition of Native American Motivation Day, we must continue to offer a vision of the future for our children that is even stronger than the opportunities we inherited. We must serve as an inspiration to our people everywhere, a living, breathing example that Native American culture can remain true to its roots even as we navigate an increasingly complex world. It starts with our kids, and it starts today.