PaC3 Two
Summer Nebraskan
13 June 1977
He?
Indian instructor
lives and works
in two worlds
By Rex Henderson
Webster Robbins is a kind of bi-cultural man. He is
dedicated to his native American Indian Culture, and has
also become a success in the white man's world.
He said he doens't like to think of himself as a leader,
or even as unique. He would rather be just another
member of the Indian community.
But like it or not, Robbins has distinguished himself.
In May 1976 Robbins became one of the few American
Indians to earn a doctorate degree.
He devoted eight years to earning theEhD behind his
name, but doesn't like to use it.
He summed up his attitude towards the degree. "It's a
nice title, worthy of honor and respect. But if I put the
title on my name it cuts off my communication with the
tribe."
It is with his tribe, the Cherokee, and the problems of
American Indians, individually and collectively, that
Robbins' heart lies.
"First and foremost I have always considered myself
an Indian," Robbins said. But he is also part of the white
man's world.
"I have been through your (non-Indian) institutions, I
have learned your language and understand how you
think, and why you think that way. I have learned to
think that way myself"
He divides his time between the two worlds in which
he works. As an Asst. Prof, of Ethnic Studies and the
History and Philosophy of Education at UNL he teaches
Introduction to Education and Minority Education.
In his work in the Indian Community, Robbins is a
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Webster Robbins, UNL Asst. Prof, of Ethnic Studies and the History and Philosophy of Education.
member of the Indian Center Board of Directors in
Lincoln, the National Indian Education Association, and
is the Indian consultant for the Corp. Member Training
Institute of the National Teachers Corp.
Robbins emphasizes that he doesn't want to be seen
by other Indians as unique.
"I keep it (participation in Indian affairs) low key,"
he said. "I've always kept it that way. Maybe I'm just
that way naturally."
That is not bad self analysis. In conversation Robbins
lean body slouches into the couch. Two long pony tails
drape over his t -shirt with the emblem of the Eagles rock
band on the front.
He is not an Eagles fan, he said, but wears the shirt
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He speaks slowly. His conversation is punctuated by
long thought-filled pauses, especially when he talks
about Indian problems. Robbins has spent the last year
mulling over them and is optimistic that they can be
solved.
He said the American Indian has "fantastic
potential," and the key to realizing that potential is
control over their own affairs.
His biggest personal gripe, one he said he inherited
from his father, is the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA),
the federal agency that controls reservations.
"If there is anything good they (BIA) have done it is
giving us an awareness of a system organized for failure,"
he said. '
The manipulation of Indian affairs by the BIA and
the handouts of food, second hand clothing and housing
reinforces the Indian sense of hopelessness, Robbins
contends.'-::''. :. 1 7 ,v::' -v..-'-:;-
"When they give us these things they are not dealing
with the most important aspect of our well being," he
said. That aspect, according to Robbins is "the Indian
psyche." .
His solution is to find a unique position in American
society for the Indian. Robbins advocates the creation of
an autonomous "nation within a nation" for Indians.
The "nation within a nation" would give the Indian
what they most need, Robbins said. 'The sense that he
contributes, that he is important," and "the ability to
determine as a group what is good for them and to
establish goals."
He emphasized that Indians are strongly nationalistic,
and dismissed as nonsense the idea that Indians have lost
their sense of identity. . " ,
Continued cn pzt 3
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hours: 8-5 Mon.-Fri. 84 Sat.
124 No. 12th St.
4324214
Sheldon Art Gallery
12th &R Streets
SCARLET STREET
Directed by Fritz Lang
Starring Edward G. Robinson & Joan Dennett
plus a cartoon DUCK AMUCK
Wednesday through Sunday -June 15, 16, 17, 18, A 19
Screcninp t 79 pjn. Friday, Saturday, & Sunday
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