There is a lack of accurate information about American Indians in mainstream educational institutions. Schools generally do not teach about traditional American Indian values and beliefs, or about the legal and historical basis of tribal sovereignty. Often times, questions that non-Indians ask about American Indians reflect cultural, legal and historical misunderstanding. Questions of this sort reveal ignorance about the relationship between Indian tribes and the U.S. government, and differences in values. This ignorance could be reduced if more schools taught accurate information about American Indians.
Tribal leaders face complex challenges.
Tribes still must struggle with poverty and its associated issues, such as Indian youth involvement in gangs and drugs. To help their people survive, tribal leaders are trying creative solutions and are making progress in areas never experienced before. Tribal leaders have to know how to manage a business enterprise to make it successful. Moreover, to ensure long-term survival tribes are looking at making new investments. These efforts to improve the lives of American Indians need to come from the people themselves.