Does College fulfill its charter?

Native American studies Professor Colin Calloway argued last night that, until recently, Dartmouth has not lived up to the mission declared in its charter, the education of Native Americans. Speaking to about three dozen students and faculty members, Calloway gave a lecture on the history of the College's relationship to Native Americans, entitled, "Dartmouth's Big Lie." Calloway said Dartmouth's historical relationship with Native Americans represents a "false start," but he suggested the College now has the opportunity to make progress on its promise to the Native American student body. He cited former College President John Kemeny's 1970 speech recommitting Dartmouth to the Native American community as the root of today's expanding Native American studies program. Though the College charter calls primarily for the education of Native Amerixans, it also includes "English and other" youths, and these students have always been the majority of the student body. Calloway retold the story of Samson Occom -- a Native American and one of Dartmouth founder Eleazer Wheelock's first students at his original school in Connecticut.