Western North Carolina Citizens for an End to Institutional Bigotry
www.main.nc.us/wncceib/
September 25, 2000 7:30 pm UNC-Asheville Highsmith Student Center, Asheville, NC
"Why Educators Can't Ignore Indian Mascots" by Dr. Cornel Pewewardy
Biographical Sketch: Dr. Cornel Pewewardy
Dr. Cornel Pewewardy is Assistant Professor in the Department of
Teaching and Leadership, School of Education, University of Kansas where
he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Multicultural Education
and Culture and Education of Indigenous Peoples. His adjunct
instructor appointments include Harvard University School of Education
Summer Principals' Institute; Union Institute; University of Minnesota,
University of Oklahoma,, Cameron University, and University of Sciences
and Arts of Oklahoma. He holds a Doctor of Education (D.Ed.) in Educational
Administration from The Pennsylvania State University.
In 1990 Dr.
Pewewardy started two innovative magnet schools in the Saint Paul (MN)
Public School District: The World Cultures and Languages Magnet School
and
American Indian Magnet School. He is particularly interested in how
ethnic-centered schools can function productively within larger public
school systems. Dr. Pewewardy has served as consultant to numerous school
districts
on the education of ethnic minority youth, curriculum development, and
psychological impact of ethnic stereotyping on children.
In the
past five years Dr. Pewewardy's scholarly activities have focused on
linguistic imperialism, critical pedagogy, multicultural education, and
culture and education of Indigenous Peoples. He is currently studying and
writing about why educational institutions use Indigenous Peoples as sport
mascots in school-related activities. For his work radio and television
stations, magazines, and newspapers throughout the country consistently
seek his advise and comment on these topics.
Active in
participatory
research, a writer, lecturer, and performing
artist, Dr. Pewewardy brings together his overall experience as a
former
kindergarten
teacher, coach, guidance counselor, mentor, educational specialist,
principal, and as a post-doctoral research fellow to infuse a holistic paradigm
across the curriculum in teacher preparation formulating a knowledge for
teaching diverse populations--helping to create instructional leadership
for the 21 st century.
Dr. Pewewardy has
been the recipient of various honors and awards, including the 1999
Big XII Indian Faculty Member of the Year; 1999 Wordcrafter of the Year;
1994 Bush Principals' Leadership Program, University of Minnesota; 1993
Hubert H. Humphrey Fellow, FU-IH Institute of International Affairs,
University of Minnesota; 1992 National Committee for School Desegregation
Award; 1991 National Indian Educator of the
Year, National Indian Education Association; and 1988 National Indian
Student of the Year also from the National Indian Education Association.