Abstract
Purpose. The purpose of this study was to describe California attitudes toward Native American Indians as represented by their portrayal in social studies textbooks published between 1850 and 1994. The study traced the portrayal of Native Americans in California state-adopted social studies textbooks to determine whether or not the portrayal has changed, both in the amount and content of text. In addition, the study described the political, social, and economic conditions that existed in California at the various times of textbook publication. Methodology. This study was conducted within the parameters of historical research, utilizing both qualitative and quantitative data to generate conclusions. The researcher used California state-adopted social studies textbooks as primary sources for the data sample--the eighth grade adopted textbook from each of the following years: 1850, 1870, 1890, 1910, 1930, 1950, 1970, and 1990. A 32 question instrument, "Guidelines for Evaluating Textbooks from an American Indian perspective," was applied to each book, yielding quantitative data for analysis and comparison. Findings. The study found that the portrayal of American Indians in California's social studies textbooks has changed significantly over the 144-year period of review, but the changes appear to have less to do with changes in the Native American population and more to do with changes in White society. The portrayal of American Indians has been consistently developed from a framework of White, western values and political constructs and, as such, serves as a "mirror" which reflects attitudes and values of the dominant society. The White mindset and the resulting imagery can be characterized by four statements: White society has created an image of Native Americans that (1) is based on a western European framework--especially focusing on deficiencies or lack of White ways; (2) fluctuates between extremes, but is always negative, emphasizing the division between native peoples and Whites; (3) supports and justifies the treatment of Native Americans and is based on political and economic need of the dominant culture; (4) is a "timeless" image of Indians--one which ignores diversity among Indians, changes in Indian peoples, and current issues relevant to Native American Indians. Conclusions. The knowledge of the historical roots of racism increases understandings about the complexities and challenges of living in today's increasingly diverse society. The study serves to renew commitment to establishing a society where shared common ground, based on the principles stated in the United States Constitution, ensures that people with widely different cultural and ethnic backgrounds can live together peacefully.