According to the California Legislative Information website, “Commencing with the 2024–25 academic year, each community college district shall require the completion of at least one course in ethnic studies of at least three units as a requirement for a student to obtain an associate degree.”
The official ethnic studies courses include African American and Black Studies, Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies, Chicano and Mexican American Studies, and Native American and Indigenous Peoples Studies.
Although the state of California offers these four categories to community colleges Butte College currently offers only three, excluding Native American and Indigenous Peoples Studies. This is an important point to highlight because Butte County has a significant Native American population.
According to Data USA, the Native American population in Butte County was 1,610 in 2023.
The local Native American community represents a piece of living heritage for the history of both Butte County and the California.
Liliana Vargas from the Native American Center at Butte College, shared her opinion on the issue.
“It is very important for us to have this class. Some Native students feel disconnected from their culture because they were never taught about the events that affected Native Americans. Having a Native American Studies class would help us reconnect,” she said.
She also added her point of view about the importance of this classes in the current academic system, “In elementary school, we only briefly learn about topics such as the French and Indian War. There is little discussion about colonization, boarding schools, or missing and murdered Indigenous women. Many of these issues are not fully represented in middle and high school history courses. I believe offering this course would benefit everyone.” She explained.
UNESCO highlights the importance of education about Indigenous peoples including their religions, languages, traditions, and history. These practices are essential for preserving culture in a sustainable way. In addition, UNESCO has mandated the implementation of these policies in schools associated with the organization due to the great cultural richness and benefits they provide.
