American Indian college students: an exploration into resiliency factors revealed through personal stories.

Resilient factors affecting the retention and completion of American Indian people in higher education were explored using qualitative methods. Interviews were conducted with 14 American Indian students or graduates regarding personal, familial, and tribal experiences that influenced their interest, persistence, and adjustment in higher education. Interviews were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed for common themes. Results indicate the importance of Indian traditions in the areas of internalized resiliency characteristics, ways of learning, developing an academic identity, and perceptions of social support systems. A description for Indian tradition in each of these factors is portrayed with the words of the students and graduates. Implications regarding the need for personal and institutional responses that are perceived as authentic by American Indian students are discussed.