Out Of Mix: Native Americans In Information Technology

The number of Native Americans − the original peoples of the United States of America − pursuing education in information technology (IT) related disciplines is low. For instance, the 1999-2000 Taulbee Survey found that Native Americans earned 31 (0%) of computer science (CS) and 4 (0%) of computer engineering (CE) bachelor degrees. 4 Under-representation of Native Americans in IT is critical for the American society, which promotes equal access to education and employment. Because of their relatively small number (1.5% of U.S. population), Native Americans are seldom represented in the assessment of racial disparities in IT. Most importantly, once Native Americans’ land stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean and from the Arctic Circle to the tip of South America. But, over the years, their lives have been disrupted and they have been dislocated. 20 With the rise of information society, Native Americans face another danger of being left behind.