Enrollment of Native American students in the University of Wisconsin jumped 50%, according to the latest available figures. Mike Simonson reports that graduation rates are drawing concern.

UW-Superior has 95 First Nation students, up slightly over the past five years. But even so, Native student graduation and retention rates lag well behind the number for all students in the UW System, with UW-Superior having the lowest Native American graduation rate.

UW System figures from 2009 show more than 1800 Native American students enrolled. That’s 750 more than in the fall of 2005. But the six year graduation rates are 65% by all students, compared to 40% for Native students. UW-Superior’s six year graduation rate is only 16.2% during that same period, the lowest in the System. UW-Green Bay is next lowest with 27.7% and UW-Madison is highest with a 54.1% Native American graduation rate.

UWS First Nation Studies Associate Professor Alvin “Chip” Beal says since that time, his campus has improved the graduation rate to 26%, but acknowledges that needs improvement. “The UW System as a whole is just beginning to get a handle on this issue. We just need to make a better home for them (Native students).”

Ed Manydeeds of Eau Claire is the first Native American member of the UW Board of Regents. He says retention and ultimately graduation is a problem.

“Native Americans are more than capable of being successful. It’s just a struggle to have them take advantage of opportunities and stay with it. That’s something that we’re constantly dealing with.”

Manydeeds says much of this can be drawn to cultural differences. He’s hoping UW campuses have a place for Native students to go.

“As kind of a community center for them, taking the place of their families or extended families on the reservation; which is very important to Native people, to have that center where they can go for support and strength.”

Northland College in Ashland had 15 Native students last year, and hopes to improve on that number. It’s just starting an Indigenous People’s Center with the help from a grant by the Otto Bremer Foundation. Red Cliff Band member Dr. James Pete is their new director. He plans to start cultural sharing meetings with the campus and community about First Nation culture and tribal sovereignty. “The wild rice, the maple syrup making, the idea with the spirituality part of it, being able to share what can be shared in that open setting, looking at our Native art and maybe doing short community sessions on how to do beadwork, how to make moccasins.”

He says that understanding can foster respect.

“That’s probably something that’s been worked at since 1890 and it’s going to be worked on until 2090 and beyond. That’s part of the challenge that we all have.”

Regent Manydeeds says the UW System is working with tribes and Native student groups to try to foster that welcoming culture in hopes of seeing retention and graduation rates increase. He’s hoping a “memo of understanding” will be drawn up later this year to map out a strategy to achieve those goals.

Meanwhile, UW-Superior will graduate 18 Native Americans on Saturday.

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