Electronic learning offers opportunities to complete post-secondary education to students who are unable or reluctant to relocate. Successful electronic learning requires study skills and learner autonomy; aspects of transactional distance theory. The problem addressed in this quantitative correlational study was the absence of strategies to support learner autonomy of American Indian students in electronic learning environments. American Indians are purported to demonstrate the cultural orientation of collectivism and have the lowest level of educational attainment of any ethnic group in the United States. Collectivism increases obligations to care for family members and a longing for home that is greater than in groups that tend to be more independent. Feelings of not belonging, culturally dissonant epistemologies, and racial microaggression on campus are issues that are reported to lead to attrition. Electronic learning at home may mitigate these problems, yet few studies of transactional distance have been conducted among American Indian populations. The purpose of this quantitative correlational study was to examine if there is a relationship between collectivist cultural orientation and learner autonomy in a sample of American Indian students enrolled in post-secondary electronic educational experiences within the past two years. The research questions asked if correlations exist between 1) collectivism and learner autonomy, 2) childhood residence and collectivism, and 3) childhood residence and learner autonomy. A total of 50 participants associated with two American Indian tribes in the southwestern United States completed a survey based on a measure of individual levels of collectivism and the Autonomous Learning Scale. No statistically significant correlation was found between collectivism and learner autonomy; or between childhood residence and collectivism. A statistically significant relationship was found between childhood residence and learner autonomy. Thus, in this population, collectivism is not a barrier to the development of skills of learner autonomy that are believed to be vital to successful electronic learning. Future research should explore ways to develop strategies to improve learner autonomy among American Indian populations. Studies should also be conducted to improve awareness of cultural diversity of American Indian learners and others in the educational environment. [The dissertation citations contained here are published with the permission of ProQuest LLC. Further reproduction is prohibited without permission. Copies of dissertations may be obtained by Telephone (800) 1-800-521-0600. Web page: http://bibliotheek.ehb.be:2222/en-US/products/dissertations/individuals.shtml.]