All too soon, our adventures at Crow Creek Tribal Schools in South Dakota, U.S.A. are drawing to a close.  We have made so many friends and been fortunate to be involved in a variety of cultural experiences with the Native American people such as pow wows, hoop dancing and listening to their legends and stories.  It seems that we have come full circle in our journey for today we heard the welcome sound of birds returning from their long migration.  After a few months of silence and snow, spring is just around the corner with the appearance of new buds on the trees. But all of this heralds the end to our school year here on the Reservation and our opportunity of living with these fascinating people.

Kate’s training at the University of Notre Dame in Broome, where she worked for many years, has been very beneficial in helping her to run the library for the school.  She has worked hard at purchasing culturally relevant books and fulfilling the Administration’s request that the library become a more user-friendly place.  She has also enjoyed teaching the seniors research skills to prepare them for University next year.  My role has been teaching Maths to the year 9 – 12 students.  It has been an enjoyable and rewarding experience.  Education is largely driven by the national policy of ‘No Child Left Behind’.  This policy aims to improve educational standards across the country by testing students at three stages of their schooling.  Statistics are then collated and posted on the Internet so that schools can be compared and those which under perform are targeted and put on alert.  Unless adequate yearly progress (AYP) is shown, these schools are threatened with closure.  Obviously, poorer, multicultural schools are unfairly treated in this way and are sometimes reluctant to enroll underachieving students while the curriculum is channeled more towards teaching to the test.

Like many communities, Crow Creek has its share of social and family dysfunction which is caused by familiar problems such as unemployment, substance abuse and the tragedy of youth suicide.  On the positive side, programs have been implemented by dedicated people who are working hard to make a difference. 

Kate and I would like to thank Tony Treacy, Principal of St. Mary’s College, for giving us this valuable opportunity to live with and learn from the Native American people.  We would also like to thank our friends in Broome for their support and prayers.  We look forward to seeing you again in January 2005.

For photos and more information about our experiences, the web site is: http://www.stmarysbroome.wa.edu.au/home/kane.brian/

Brian and Kate Kane.