Keynote Address: "Preserving the Past to Secure the Future": The Center for Indian Education — The Next 50 Years

Abstract:This article presents the keynote address given by Dr. Monty Roessel, Superintendent of the Rough Rock (Navajo) Community School, at the Center for Indian Education Re-launch Celebration held on the ASU Tempe campus May 6, 2011. Here, the author reflects on the legacy of the Center, co-founded by his father, Dr. Robert A. (Bob) Roessel, Jr., who also co-founded the demonstration school at Rough Rock in 1966. Both of these early efforts had a strong community focus and were designed to "amplify the voice of Native people" by (re)claiming Indian control over Indian education. Arguing that a viable future for Indian education requires a "bothand" approach, the author illustrates this approach with the current Navajolanguage immersion program at Rough Rock Community School. Noting that the Center for Indian Education serves as a conduit for the future of Indian people, he concludes by urging Native nations to work together, along with the Center, and to take the "next leap of faith" in exercising tribal sovereign power over education.