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‘Feels like erasure’: Why Native American students may be undercounted by 90% in California schools By Carolyn Jones, CalMatters
VOL. VOL. 10, 12,
Containment for Verona Fire remains at 95%; Bain Fire nearing full containment after burning nearly 1,500 acres By City News Service
San Bernardino lawmaker's bill seeks more accuracy for students who identify as Indigenous
W
hen Celestina Castillo filled out the ethnicity forms at her children’s school, she’d always check Latino and Native American. After all, the family is proud of both its heritages. But because of a loophole in the state’s data collection system, checking Latino or Hispanic meant that her children’s Native American identity was not counted at all, and they would not receive the extra services they’re entitled to. When Castillo learned of this, she stopped checking the Latino box altogether According to the arcane way California counts its 5.8 million students, students who say they are Hispanic and Native American get counted as solely Hispanic. Native American students who also identify as another race, such as Black, white or Asian, are counted as “two or more races,” not Native American. The problem affects all multiracial students, but it’s especially pronounced among Native Americans because the majority are multiracial. It’s resulted in an undercount of Native American students by
At left, Lily Montana sits next to her mom, Celestina Castillo, on their porch in Los Angeles on May 7. | Photo courtesy of Jules Hotz/CalMatters
as much as 90%, advocates said. “If someone is Black, or Asian, or white, they’re counted that way,” said Castillo, a director of a college learning center who lives in Los Angeles. “Why does it not count if someone is Native American? That’s not OK. It
feels like erasure.” More services, fewer stereotypes Last year California schools said they had 24,822 Native American students, but the actual number may be as high as 156,000, according to
an Assembly report on a new measure, Assembly Bill 1581, that seeks to fix the problem. If those students were identified, they’d be entitled to cultural services and other programs that could help them succeed in school. A more accurate count could also change the public perception of Native Americans generally, according to Assemblyman James Ramos, the San Bernardino Democrat who authored the bill. Instead of being thought of as rare or even extinct, the public could see that Native Americans are everywhere, Ramos said. “We’ll start to see the true picture of Native Americans in California,” said Ramos, a member of the Serrano/ Cahuilla tribe. “Native American students should be able to stand up in the classroom and say who they are and be proud of it.” Changes in the U.S. Census There’s a long history of the government marginalizing Native Americans in California, particularly in schools. In the late 19th
See Native American students Page 35
NO. 277
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brush fire that has scorched 638 acres north of Homeland, destroying some outbuildings and other structures, remained 95% contained Monday. The fire was reported at 12:20 p.m. May 19 on a hillside in the area of Verona and Juniper Springs Roads, north of Highway 74, according to the Riverside County Fire Department. It was driven by strong winds and prompted evacuation warnings. All evacuation warnings were lifted Saturday afternoon, but residents and people traveling through the area were advised to use caution. Crews predicted remaining in the area over the next several days to ensure roadway and community safety. Suppression efforts remained ongoing Monday as crews continue reinforcing containment lines and checking for remaining heat sources or potential rekindles. Some 518 personnel,
37 engines, 27 hand crews and 14 water tenders were assigned to the fire including engine and hand crews from the Riverside County, Hemet and Soboba Tribal fire departments. One firefighter suffered unspecified minor injuries and was taken to Inland Valley Medical Center in Wildomar for treatment. Firefighters established a defensive perimeter May 19 and prevented the fire from impacting occupied homes, but outbuildings and storage facilities in the area were consumed by the fire, according to reports from the scene. The exact number couldn't be confirmed. After a series of drops by Cal Fire air tankers and water-dropping helicopters, the fire's forward rate of spread was halted at 3:40 p.m., and only one chopper remained overhead late Tuesday afternoon, making targeted drops. However, Cal Fire announced later on May 19 that the fire jumped control lines and was burning "at a
See Fires Page 35
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