Murray State Theses and Dissertations

Abstract

This research study provides an inquiry by conducting a qualitative analysis of the conditions and issues associated with students at the San Ildefonso Pueblo in Northern New Mexico. For decades the education of San Ildefonso and Native Americans who live in the State of New Mexico has been ignored. This has been just the way it was, that is, until Wilhelmina Yazzie, a Native American, saw her son struggling in an unsatisfactory school system and decided to take action. This case was originally filed in McKinley Country, New Mexico, in 2014, home to largely Native American students for the Navajo Nation, Hopi, and Zuni tribes. This case moved through the New Mexico court system and eventually was combined with a similar effort called the Martinez Hispanic case. The action taken by Yazzie and the victory against the State of New Mexico stand to eventually change the education system to provide what is mandated in the State Constitution. However, it has been five years since the court decision, and little has been accomplished to correct the the existing system. This research consisted of field interviews at all levels of action, starting with San Ildefonso Pueblo community members and ending with New Mexico State-level efforts to explain the current situation.

Year manuscript completed

2023

Year degree awarded

2023

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Dissertation Committee Chair

Randal H. Wilson

Committee Member

Terese Clark

Committee Member

Scott Allen

Document Type

Thesis

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