Sociology | Case Subject

This teaching case tells the story of Tony, one of nine Osage government reform commissioners placed in charge of determining the "will of the people" in reforming the government of the Osage Nation. Because of Congressional law the Osage Nation had been forced into an alien form of government for a hundred years. Recent legislation has reversed this and has recognized the Osage Nation's sovereign right to determine its own citizenship and form of government. As part of this case, students will analyze the highly charged debates over citizenship that took place during Osage community meetings. From these perspectives students will be asked to write referendum questions covering the central issues at stake with Osage citizenship. This case provides an opportunity for students to explore a range of issues including American Indian citizenship and sovereignty, the power and danger inherent in racial identity, and the process of community-based reform.

Safe school environments are a challenge as societal pressures about tolerance and diversity mold young people across the nation and within Indian communities. Native students who have a sexual orientation different from their classmates are often subject to bullying and harassment and may not complete their educational goals. Gay students are 30% more likely to commit suicide than their peers. This case study looks at a high school where a suicide has led students to suggest providing a support group for gay students to have a place to come and talk. Student organizers hope to eliminate the bullying and harassment and increase tolerance to protect the lives of all students.

This case examines questions relating to the issues of Indian identity within the field of Native arts, both in terms of the creation of art and Native arts administration. The case looks at the Indian Arts and Craft Act of 1990 and the impact of the application of the law to Indian artists and Native arts service organizations. The question of "who is an Indian artist?" as defined by the Indian Arts and Crafts Act has legal, cultural and community implications. The question of "what is Indian art?" has many implications for the field of indigenous art and comprises a wide range of viewpoints