A Bridge to a Better Understanding Needed

“A Bridge Between Two Worlds� (June 17) is a commendable account of Jack West, the person chosen to head the new American Indian Museum planned to be built in Washington D.C. Mr. West has an amazingly strong background, and I admire his strength and endurance as an attorney who defends Indian issues in Washington. Being half Indian and half Anglo, he has the ability to bridge both worlds.

I find the fact that the museum will be called “American Indian Museum� has a demeaning effect. It should be called the “Native American Museum.� This title would give a more concrete statement to the American public. After all, Native Americans were here for centuries before “settlers,� and hasn’t that been the catalyst of their struggle all along?

I wonder how this museum will serve those it intends to honor? Will it help the Sioux Indians in South Dakota get decent water to drink on their reservation? Will it help living conditions improve on any of the impoverished reservations in this country? It is about time something is being done to improve the image of one of the longest-standing one-with-nature cultures ever to exist on this planet.

I am an educator working in vocational education for child-care occupations. I have seen very little quality curriculum that presents Native Americans with respect. I am working to do what I can. I hope this rebuttal to the article will stimulate other educators to improve the image they are presenting to their students when it comes to Native Americans.

DIANE HAWKINS

Rowland Heights