The Native American Fraternal Values Movement:
Past, Present, & Future Native American Student Experience and Retention According to Larimore and McClellan (2005), Native American students are the least likely to enroll in public four-year institutions and have an estimated retention rate of 15 percent and an attrition rate as high as 93 percent. Student affairs practitioners understand the vast need to engage Native American students at a much higher level due to their at-risk status. Formal social integration correlates positively with academic performance among Native American students (Larimore and McClellan, 2005). Research regarding fraternal membership among general undergraduate students shows that members tend to be more involved, which is positively correlated with student learning and development (Astin 1993). The research completed by Larimore and Astin helps frame the assumption that engaging Native American students within fraternal membership that celebrates their culture might have a positive influence on their collegiate experience and academic performance.
The Founding of Historically Native American Fraternities and Sororities (HNAFS) Approximately eight fraternal organizations have self-identified as Historically Native American Fraternities and Sororities (HNAFS) (Locklear & Oxendine, 2007). While some of these organizations are primarily located within a specific region of the United States, Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc. and Phi Sigma Nu Fraternity, Inc. are considered nationally-affiliated organizations. Both of these organizations are the first HNAFS to be established and recognized by an institution of higher learning. The fraternal experiences for HNAFS undergraduates and alumni are unique from the fraternal experiences of those in organizations affiliated with the four major umbrella organizations (NALFO, NIC, NPC, NPHC). While the founding principles of these organizations share more similarities than differences, the acts commonly referred to as rituals or ceremonies for HNAFS revolve around Native American traditions and culture. Specifically, the variety of common traditional practices such as sweat lodges, smudging ceremonies, cleansing processes, and Pow Wows serve as a mechanism for the maintenance of cultural practices away from home.
Emerging Issues within HNAFS Although the current number and membership of Native American fraternities and sororities are relatively small, it does not inhibit this community from advancing fraternal values in a substantial way. For example, organizations have already recognized the cultural insensitivity of utilizing the common term “colony.” Terms and differences not only provide historical education, but also enable the further development of cultural competencies regarding others.
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Perspectives / Spring 2008
– Sara L. Jahansouz and Symphony D. Oxendine
National representatives of HNAFS anticipate growth not only within membership and expansion of established organizations, but also an emergence of new organizations (Locklear & Oxendine, 2007). This is due to the vast diversity among Native American tribal nations. While some HNAFS value the advancement of all native cultures, others prefer to celebrate tribal/regionally specific beliefs and values. Both perspectives allow Native American students an opportunity to connect with a fraternal experience that is congruent with their personal beliefs. Whether intentionally or not, the fraternal world has created an environment in which national organizations must become members of an umbrella organization in order to be taken seriously. This poses a major challenge for HNAFS as the financial resources and limited membership do not provide the capital necessary to establish nor join a currently established umbrella organization. Some professionals within fraternity and sorority life have been unwilling to build partnerships with HNAFS as they may question the validity of these organizations within our fraternal community. On the other hand, there are many professionals who have taken an active role in educating themselves and others on the significant contributions that HNAFS are making in advancing fraternal values. – S ara L. Jahansouz serves as the Director of Greek Life at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, an historically American Indian University. – S ymphony D. Oxendine serves as the Associate Director of Student Life at The University of North Carolina at Pembroke, an historically American Indian University. Symphony also holds the position of Grand Dean of Honeycombs for Alpha Pi Omega Sorority, Inc.
References Astin, A.W. (1993). What matters in college? Four critical years revisited. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass. Larimore, J. (Spring, 2005). Native American Student Retention in U.S. Postsecondary Education. New Directions for Student Services, 109, 17-32. Locklear, B. & Oxendine, S. (2007). American Indian Greek organizations: A new vehicle for carrying-on old traditions. NASPA/ACPA Joint Meeting Educational Program.