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Show Cameron Cuch sets an example for the youth of his tribe By Susan Collier Vanesu Mile Is the daughter of Rick and Stephanie Miles. She is the English Sterling Scholar and feels that English is one way to express your inner self to others. She loves literature, singing, and music in general. Vanessa is involved in numerous activities, and plans on attending college to major in vocal performance music. She is currently a member of the USU singing group, Stagellght. In the 1950s the Ute Tribe decided to send their children to public school in an effort to remain one of the most progressive Indian tribes in the United States. "The thinking was, send children to public schools so they could be that much further ahead, and children could compete in society." explained Cameron Cuch. the Director of Education for the Ute Indian Tribe. Ironically the Ute's current school drop out rates are alarmingly high. They hover around 80 percent. Cuch. a member of the Ute Tribe, grew up on the Uintah and Ouray Reservation where he attended Tbdd Elementary and West Junior High. When he was old his family moved to his mother's former home in Martha's Vineyard. Massachuessetts where Cuch graduated from high school and college. "I benefitted greatly from my exposure to people of different cultures, religions, and ethnic backgrounds," he detailed. After graduating from the University of Massachusetts with a major in political science Cuch returned to the Basin to visit and spend time with his family and people. He took a Job with Tribal Education tutoring young Utes and witnessed many Ute students struggling. "They didn't have a strong and lacked sense of many of the basic skills needed to be successful in school," he noted. Cuch returned to college, this time earning a masters degree in education from the University of Utah with an emphasis on critical, cultural, and curriculum studies. Last spring he left his position as Assistant Director of Native American Student Services at Colorado State University, where he also taught courses in ethnic studies, to accept the position as Director of Education for the Ute Tribe. He wants administrators and teachers in the local schools to provide Ute students with a strong academic foundation and self-estee- Kabe Sorensen is the son of Darryl and Ellen Sorensen. He is the General Sterling Scholar. Kade is the president and valedictorian of his senior class. He plans on attending medical school and becoming an endocrinologist a message that they are important. "I think it is Important for the Ute people to love and appreciate who they are and to know they are important As a young person attending schools in this area the message sent to me was that I nor my people were Important." said Cuch. He believes it is imperative for the Utes to understand their heritage and unique political status as American Indians. "A lot Ute scholarship funds. Cuch also supervises Uintah River High, a charter school currently in its third year and located in Fort Duchesne. The school was established in -- Pag7- Cuch. "Public schools also need to have a real commitment to diversity. They need to have more people of color working in the school district. It is important for American Indian students to see people like themselves in positions of influence. We desperately need role models in Cuch believes it is very' important for the Utes to understand their heritage and unique ixrlitical status as American Indians. of young people grow up not realizing what a wonderful culture they come from or of the contributions that their people have made to the world, such a agriculture, medicine, architecture. art and the system of democracy." he declared. Cuch administers nine departments, including adult education, higher education, the adult vocational program, the language department, the tutor mentor program, Johnson O'Malley, the Utah State Univere program, and Uintah sity River High-"Thtribe has done very Innovative things in economic development, but first we must start with human development. We must prepare young people to step up and be a quality work force." said Cuch adamantly. The tribe's Education Department works closely with Utah State University-Ulnta- h Basin and Uintah Basin Applied Technology College on many programs. Utes are enrolled in college classes as well as building trades programs, nursing programs, clerical programs, and others at the schools. Currently 80 Utes are attending either a four year or a two year college program with on-sit- e RICH HERITAGE Cameron Cuch, director of Education for the Ute Indian Tribe, is proud of his rich heritage. His mother, Carla Cuch, is a member of the Wampamxig Tribe which met and helped the pilgrims by teaching them agricultural skills they needed to survive in this country. His father, Forrest Cuch, is a member of the Northern Ute Tribe and the director of the Utah Division of Indian Affairs. A response to the high Ute drop out our community." he noted. "We want to provide the Utes rate in the public schools. The school can accommodate 60 with a quality education." students and current enrollment concluded Cuch. Wc haven't is 50. gotten there yet. We have a long Cuch also works with Uintah ways to go. but we've made a big and Duchesne school districts. start. We need to improve "We are setting out to improve schools. I would like to get more working relationships with the parents involved. Many don't know how to be involved and two school districts. We need often don't know their rights. We people who love children and need to educate parents to be want to see them succeed aware of their rights." working in our schools." said |