Re. Cheryl Long Feather's Oct. 23 letter, "Culture plays a role in learning":

Long Feather's comments referring to her disappointment in "teachers and administrators who call themselves Indian" truly shows the small-minded attitude with which she approaches the subject.

Long Feather attests to the fact that American Indian students do not leave their culture at the door, but she seems to want to deny the culture of those who think differently than she. Is this the model Long Feather wants the school district to adopt? It sounds a little like stereotyping and racism to me.

I have been a teacher in the Bismarck Public Schools system for the past 10 years, and I am more than willing to admit that the system has its flaws in dealing with students that do not meet the norms of the larger society.

However, the risk of grouping and stereotyping far outweighs any benefit that Long Feather's plan would have.

I can't imagine any parent in our community wanting their child systematically grouped and judged according to their race, religion, or any other cultural standard.

Long Feather notes that she has done research and surveys on this subject, but no such findings were ever presented along with her plan to the ASSIST group.

I know that I was never contacted as a part of a parents' survey.

Perhaps it is because Long Feather has grouped me under the "only call themselves Indian" subcategory, and my learning style would prohibit me from understanding such a survey.

Culture does play a real role in the life of every student, not just American Indians. As Long Feather states, "It is important to recognize cultural uniqueness," but that should not include the stereotyping that so many generations have fought against. Our young Native American students deserve better than that. In fact, all of our students do, regardless of their race.

True solutions begin with bringing people together, not separating them.