Date of Award

7-1999

Document Type

Open Access Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Leadership (MAL)

Department

Leadership

Abstract

This study explores the need for a culturally based leadership program to help the Native American Ho-Chunk youth become effective leaders in their communities. There are but a few studies done on Native American leadership so I have chiefly relied on the empirical evidence collected from several Summer Ho-Chunk Youth Leadership Conferences. As a result, learning the Hocak language was identified as being critical to keeping the culture and traditions alive.

We proceed to do this in four parts. We begin with the statement of the problem. Secondly, we define and clarify terms such as: American Indian, tribe, vision, sovereignty, Native American leadership, culture and clan. Thirdly, we study data from the three leadership conferences for the years 1996, 1997, and 1998. Lastly, we conclude the findings of this study.

We discovered that the Hocak language is essential in any culturally based leadership program. Leadership cannot be separate from Hocak culture, and the essence of culture is language. Thus, culturally based leadership cannot happen without language studies.

It was our recommendation that the Hocak Nation look at the seven stages as a means of addressing stage eight--only a few elders speak. The seven stages indicate where the Nation has been and where they need to be. The stages are as follows:

  1. The higher levels of tribal government use the language.
  2. Tribal offices use the language.
  3. It is used by employees (not supervisors).
  4. The Native language is required in elementary schools, not as a second language.
  5. The language is still very much alive and used in Native communities and even on a voluntary basis in school.
  6. Still some intergenerational use of language at home.
  7. Only adults beyond childbearing still speak.

As a result, learning the Hocak language was identified as being critical to keeping the culture and traditions alive.

Identifier

SC 11.MAL.1999.Thunder.C

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