This book presents a historical overview of American Indian education and includes excerpts of government documents, court decisions, letters from commissioners of Indian affairs, and personal accounts. The book depicts the continuous efforts of White society to educate and assimilate Native Americans into the Euro-American culture. Chapters 1 and 2 characterize Indian education before European contact; describe traditional methods used to teach Indian children the rules, values, and world view of their society; contrast Indian education with that of early colonists; and describe early efforts to change the fundamental cultural orientation of the Indians. Other chapters cover the following topics: (1) treaty negotiations and violations; (2) mission education during the treaty years (1778-1871); (3) the religious school controversy (1869-1908); (4) tribally controlled education; (5) government boarding schools; (6) the 1928 Meriam Report that investigated all aspects of Indian affairs; (7) the Navajo-Hopi Rehabilitation Act of 1950; (8) the role of public schools; (9) the 1969 Kennedy Report that investigated the inequities of Indian education; (10) Indian self-determination and education; and (11) tribally controlled community colleges. Contains 51 references and an index. (LP)