By: Becky Beane

Becky Beane — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 05:56:23 +0000

Hintil Kuu Ca has an extraordinary history for Native Americans in the Bay area for children, families and the Native community itself. It is indeed “a house of children”, where the focus is on educating children in the Native cultural ways as well as strengthening the child’s academic skills. By focusing on the Native culture of the child, self esteem is being built. When a child knows and understands themselves better,they will perform their best not only in school but in life. The Native American drop-out rate is one of the highest, and programs such as Hintil help to combat this problem by keeping the children in school. Hintil provides a safe, fun, culturally relevant place for the children to be before and after school and during the summer for academic enhancement, skill building and cultural learning. Families also participate in activities and fundraisers.
I was Head teacher at Hintil for several years until my family moved to Minnesota, and the program is still very close to my heart. I still hear from a number of the “children” who grew up there, who are now my Facebook Friends. The Hintil Family is special, and an important part of the education system for Native children in the Oakland area. It would be a disservice to the Native community who fought so hard to have this program exist to have it close now. Mvto.

By: Maria Spencer

Maria Spencer — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:24:21 +0000

I can’t believe after all these years, I had six children that went through Hintil and then to Carl B Munck. They are half Navajo, Laguna pueblo and filipino. Their grandparents were part of relocation. This move to close Hintil will effect the 3rd and forward generations of Native Americans. This Center is part of history of the relocation period and how this center has assisted those families with assimilation as well. Please don’t close this center.

Comments on: American Indian center might close its doors

By: Becky Beane

By: Maria Spencer