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[an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) Program gives Native Americans chance to experience college life By Myles Murphy Ashland Daily Tidings Native American students from across the state Saturday celebrated their graduation from a college preparation course, Konaway Nika Tillicum 2000. And they got to meet a fellow Native American who is running for vice president on the Green Party ticket, Winona LaDuke. The eight-day residential camp, held at Southern Oregon University, takes Native American students in the fifth through 10th grades and immerses them in a college setting. "It really helps to get to know what it's like on a college campus," said Christina Martinez, a 16-year-old high school junior from Klamath Falls. This is Martinez's fifth year at the program, and she said her experience will help her get into college. "We learned a lot, we met college administrators and they even help you find out about financial aid and Native American scholarships that are available," she said. Program Director David West has been the SOU Native American academic coordinator for four years. He said the program fills a need in the Native American community, which historically has lower than average high school graduation numbers and college enrollment. "We're about changing the statistics," West said. "This will prepare the students for college and enable them to meet the highest entrance requirements in the state." The program offers classes on history, writing, study skills, dance, art, science, computers and math. There are also a number of outdoor skills and arts classes like making flint tools and weapons. As part of the program, students learn about Native American culture, history, and even take a number of field trips to sites that have native American cultural significance in Southern Oregon. Neal Croswell, 13, of Grants Pass, took the course for the first time this year. "I got to know people like me," he said. "It will help me become who I am." As one of their final activities, students performed modern and traditional dances and acted out stories Friday on the Oregon Shakespeare Festival's Green Show stage. The program is sponsored by SOU Youth Programs and Rogue Community College. For information on future courses call 552-6751. [an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) [an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) [an error occurred while processing this directive] (none) Visit our back issue library Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Western Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Corvallis Gazette-Times | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | | Ashland Daily Tidings | Gresham Outlook | Springfield News | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2000 Lee Northwest Publishing