Publications by Colleges and Departments (MSU - Bozeman)
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Item Perceptions of Native American women in college of the impact of the teachers' attitudes and the classroom environment on their K-12 learning(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 1999) Parker, KoleenItem Remaking American Indian histories : recognizing their voices, stories, lives(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2003) Buckmaster, Miranda M. F.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Billy G. SmithMainstream histories often do not include detailed and effective narrations about the lives and experiences of American Indian women in North America from the era of contact to the twenty-first century. This thesis critiques historical methodologies that ignore American Indians, their histories, and their roles in the evolution of North American societies. The body of the text focuses on historiography and methodology. It also offers solutions historians and other scholars may consider when writing American Indian histories, including the use of interdisciplinary methods and ethical research of American Indian oral traditions. This thesis is concluded with a brief study of popular culture to illustrate how applying alternative methodologies to mainstream scholarship could help scholars to create more inclusive historical texts.Item Preferences and perceptions following sexual assault : a study exploring the awareness and use of support services, and estimated extent of sexual assault among American Indian women at one northwestern university(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2012) Van Houweling, Audry Beth; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Patricia A. HolkupSexual assault is a national and global epidemic. This study focuses on American Indian women, who experience sexual assault at greater rates compared to all other racial groups and college students, who experience a high prevalence of sexual assault. This exploratory, mixed methods study considers the perceptions and preferences relative to sexual assault among American Indian college women. Specifically, this study explored the perceived barriers to reporting sexual assault, the perceived awareness of campus and community sexual assault services, preferred reporting patterns, and the perceived magnitude of sexual assault among American Indian college women while enrolled in a northwestern university and prior to enrollment. An anonymous online survey was distributed to American Indian students with the permission of an on-campus American Indian organization. A total of 31 responses were collected over a one-month time period from American Indian college women. The results suggested the need for improved sexual assault awareness and prevention strategies. Further research is needed to fully understand the implications of culture and the perceptions and preferences among American Indian college women. PLEASE NOTE: For purposes of confidentiality, the name of the northwestern university and information identifying the university's location were withheld throughout the body, references, and appendices of this document. The original survey sent to participants did identify the university and its location for reference purposes, but subsequently was removed and masked.Item American Indian women in higher education : is Tinto's model applicable?(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2005) Taylor, Franci Lynne; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Walter FlemingHigher education degree completion for American Indians has remained virtually unchanged for the past three decades. American Indians, both female and male, continue to have the lowest percentage of terminal degrees completion of any ethnic population in the United States. Numerous studies have been completed to examine the barriers that prohibit American Indian success at the postsecondary level. However, there remains a lack of critical information concerning the personal experiences of those American Indian females who have persevered and have completed first, an undergraduate degree and then matriculated through the systems to attain a terminal degree. The purpose of this study is to survey a sample of American Indian women who have acquired a terminal degree and elicit their personal perceptions of the process and reasons why they were successful. This study is descriptive in nature and utilizes an analysis of both survey and interview data. A total of 71 women were contacted with 31 survey/interviews being completed for a completion rate of 44%. The battery of questions was divided into two categories. The first category addressed demographic information and academic background, including area of study and dissertation title. The second category assessed personal reflection and their response to various barriers as documented in the Tinto Model, such as investment in traditional American Indian culture, academic, emotional, institutional, economics, committee and other influential people. Conclusions were drawn as to the degree to which these respondents caused a failure to prove the effectiveness of the Tinto Model in predicting success or failure for American Indian women entering the post-secondary system with the desire to attain a terminal degree. The testimony of these successful holders of the terminal degree clearly reveals that many of the barriers identified by Tinto were to their perception strengths that assisted their success.Item How do knowledge and attitudes relate to the initiation of breastfeeding in Native American women in a North Dakota health care facility?(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2012) Thomas, Jennifer Lee; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Barbara Derwinski-RobinsonDespite research consistently demonstrating the benefits of breastfeeding, Native American women in North Central North Dakota have the lowest rate of breastfeeding in North Dakota with a rate of 8.24%. The reasons why these women are not breastfeeding are not known. There have been no studies regarding the attitudes and knowledge about breastfeeding of these women or their health care professionals. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes about breastfeeding in this population. Thirteen pregnant women, ten women who have given birth, and twelve health care professionals who provide care to these women comprised the sample of this descriptive study. The results of the surveys demonstrated that these women knew the benefits of breastfeeding but the majority of them did not breastfeed their infants. Attitudes seem to be a more relevant factor than knowledge in influencing breastfeeding initiation in this sample of women. Health care providers should be aware that their own attitude toward breastfeeding may affect a woman's choice to breastfeed. Results also demonstrated the health care professionals had limited education about infant feeding, lactation, and breastfeeding. These health care providers may be providing conflicting and possibly incorrect knowledge about breastfeeding. Current evidence based breastfeeding recommendations and practices should be incorporated into continuing education so consistent and correct information is provided. Health systems should establish a baby friendly environment that supports and encourages breastfeeding. In addition, the unique characteristics of the Native American women in North Central North Dakota, or any community in which one lives or works, should be considered to better plan interventions that will be effective and sustainable. It is not one identifiable factor that the decision to breastfeed is dependent upon, but factors that may interact and overlap in ways to influence a women's decision to breastfeed. Understanding context is vital to designing and implementing successful interventions in breastfeeding promotion. Culturally relevant information gathered from this population may not be transferable to others in this particular tribe who may live somewhere else or to other Native American tribes, as their specific cultural attributes may be different from this particular tribe.