Ocean Township High School - Sandpiper Yearbook (Oakhurst, NJ)

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Indians And Education: A Man Of Both Worlds March 5, I 97 I - Dr. Carl Marburger, the New Jer- sey State Commissioner of Education and formerly the federal Commissioner of Indian Affairs, visited the High School today. He spoke about the Indian and his problems during fifth period. The following period he discussed possible innovations in educa- tion. Dr. Marburger began his fifth period talk by de- tailing the various Indian reservations and where they are located. Usually, he declared, the tribes were given the worst possible land for their reserva- tions. Recently, however, coal deposits have been found on the Navaio lands of the Southwest, and the Sioux reservation in South Dakota has become very valuable timber land. Dr. Marburger went on to explain that when he was with the Bureau, he was responsible for the education of 50,000 Indian children. The young- sters were brought together in regional boarding schools. Along with the lack of money fonly 31,500 per year were allocated for each studentj, lan- guage variations were the greatest problem. Each tribe speaks a different language, and members of some tribes, like the Pueblo, separated by a dis- tance of only ten miles cannot understand one an- other. Formerly, the young Indians were forced to learn English and were punished harshly if they spoke in their native tongue. However, this often cruel treatment has, for the most part, ceased. Diabetes and obesity are the maior health prob- lems, he said. Tuberculosis has been controlled as sanitary conditions have improved. When asked about the relatively high suicide rate of young Indi- an males, Mr. Marburger replied that the reason was basically twofold. Firstly, the Indian male no longer has an identity. He cannot hunt or fish as he used to and often he is not the breadwinner of the family. Secondly, he cannot overcome the culture shock that is experienced when he attempts to assimilate himself into the white man's world. Near the end of his talk, Dr. Marburger said the steadfast bureaucracy of the Federal Government caused him to resign his position. During the sixth period Dr. Marburger comment- ed on the educational structure and mentioned pos- sible alterations to the present system. He talked in support of the twelve month school year, but since society is geared towards a summer vacation he ex- pects slow acceptance of this idea. One advantage would be the opportunity to complete high school in three years if an individual so desired. Dr. Marburger also discussed the purpose of high school education in relation to college, vocation and life. The session was concluded with a question and answer period. LEFT: Dr. Marburger discusses Indian handicraft on the Navaio Reservation. UPPER FAR LEFT: Dr. Marburger demonstrates Indi- an beadwork used as talismans. BELOW FAR LEFT: Elizabeth Solomon asks question of Dr. Marburger on educational sys- tems of New Jersey. 26