David Risling facts for kids
David Risling Jr. (born April 10, 1921, in Humboldt County, California – died March 13, 2005, in Davis, California) was a Native American leader. He was a member of the Hoopa tribe. Many people called him "The Father of Indian Education." He worked hard to improve education and rights for Native Americans.
His Life and Work
After serving in the Navy during World War II, David Risling Jr. went to college. He studied agriculture at Cal Poly. He then taught agriculture at Modesto Junior College from 1950 to 1970.
He became very involved in helping Native American communities. In 1970, he moved to UC Davis. There, he helped create a special program. This program was for Native American studies. He worked there until he retired in 1993. Today, this program is a full department. It is one of only three in the U.S. that offers advanced degrees in this field.
David Risling Jr. also helped start important organizations. He was a co-founder of California Indian Legal Services. He also helped create the Native American Rights Fund. He played a big part in getting new laws passed. These laws were the federal Indian Education Act and the Indian Tribal Community College Act. Thanks to these laws, many new schools were created. Thirty-one Indian community colleges were started. Dozens of K-12 school programs also began on reservations.
He was also a main advisor for the Smithsonian's National Museum of the American Indian. This museum celebrates Native American cultures. He was also chosen three times to be on the National Advisory Council on Indian Education.
D-Q University
One of the achievements David Risling Jr. was most proud of was helping to create D-Q University. This was one of the first tribal colleges. It was the only one in California.
Jack D. Forbes, who also helped start the university, said this. He mentioned that he and Carl Gorman had dreamed of the school. But it was David Risling Jr.'s organizing skills that made it happen in 1971.
For many years, Risling was the President of D-Q University's board of trustees. Just two months before he passed away, he was part of the decision to close the university. It had faced challenges and lost its accreditation.
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