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Article: Native American school opens door to new lives.
- Article from:
- ORian
- Article date:
- September 15, 2007
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2007 The Oregonian. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Nikole Hannah-Jones
Sep. 15--It was just a whisper on hopeful lips 30 years ago. But Friday, the county's Native American community gathered in North Portland to pray and give thanks for a dream realized: a high school run by Native people, taught by Native teachers, for Native students.
The Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA) opened its doors for its inaugural school, the NAYA Early College Academy. And, perhaps, began closing the door on a painful past.
"The last 100 years of federal education policy has been all about assimilation and removing our identity," said Nichole Maher, NAYA's executive director. "This is an ...