Body
This brief by Janiel Santos and Amanda R. Tachine outlines significant considerations for enhancing data collection practices concerning American Indian and Alaska Native (AI/AN) populations in higher education. It emphasizes the importance of culturally sensitive methodologies that reflect the distinct identities and experiences of AI/AN communities. The brief advocates for the adoption of new federal standards to improve how data about AI/AN populations are collected and reported, which is crucial for formulating effective policies and educational practices that support these communities.
Main Takeaways:
- Complexity of AI/AN Identity: The report highlights the intricate nature of AI/AN identity, which includes political, legal, and cultural dimensions not fully captured by current federal racial and ethnic categories. Recent federal updates aim to enhance the granularity of this data.
- Historical Inadequacies in Data Collection: Traditionally, data collection methods have not adequately captured or represented the diversity within AI/AN populations, often leading to overgeneralized analyses that fail to address specific community needs.
- Importance of Tribal Consultation: Effective data collection requires ongoing consultation with Tribal communities to ensure data practices align with the unique values and requirements of these groups.
- Data Sovereignty: Emphasizes Indigenous Data Sovereignty, advocating for Tribal control over the collection, interpretation, and dissemination of data about their communities to ensure self-determination in research and policy-making.
- Methodological Recommendations: Suggests methodologies that include detailed race and ethnicity categories to improve the accuracy and utility of data collected, advocating for systems that allow the identification of AI/AN individuals with multiethnic backgrounds or those from non-federally recognized tribes.
- Policy Implications: The brief calls for policy adjustments that integrate these improved data collection practices, which are essential for creating informed, effective educational policies and practices that genuinely support AI/AN students.