Eber Hampton facts for kids

Eber Hampton is an important Chickasaw leader and educator. He has spent his career working in education, especially for Indigenous peoples. He was the president of the First Nations University of Canada and also led the Harvard American Indian Program. People call him a "Pioneer in Indigenous Education" because of his important work. He also served on the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.

Early Life and Learning

Growing Up and College Years

Eber Hampton was born in Talihina, Oklahoma, into a Chickasaw family in 1942. He grew up in California. After finishing high school, he went to Westmont College. This is a private Christian college in Montecito, Santa Barbara County.

At Westmont College, Eber Hampton studied psychology. He earned his bachelor's degree with honors in 1962. During this time, he faced some personal challenges. He later said that a "distant light of goodness" always guided him.

Advanced Studies

After Westmont, Hampton continued his education at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). There, he focused on how people learn. Later, in the 1980s, he attended the Harvard Graduate School of Education. He earned his Doctorate of Education from Harvard.

Career in Education

Teaching and Leadership Roles

After his time at UCSB, Eber Hampton began teaching psychology. He worked at Minnesota State University, Mankato. He then became the director of the Harvard American Indian Program. This program helps Native American students and communities.

Later, he moved to Alaska and joined the University of Alaska. He became an associate dean for the College of Rural Alaska. This role focused on education in rural areas of Alaska.

Leading First Nations University

In 1991, Eber Hampton became the President of the First Nations University of Canada. This university is very important for Indigenous education. During his time as president, the university changed its name. It was previously called Saskatchewan Indian Federated College.

He also oversaw the building of a new university facility. This building was designed by the famous architect Douglas Cardinal. In 2005, Queen Elizabeth II visited Saskatchewan. She presented a special stone tablet with her initials to President Hampton.

Personal Life and Service

Family Connections

Eber Hampton has a son named John Hampton. John is the director of the MacKenzie Art Gallery in Regina, Saskatchewan. His nephew, Adriel Hampton, is an American political figure. Adriel ran for Governor of California in the 2022 election.

Community Involvement

Eber Hampton has served on many important boards. These include the Advisory Board for the Institute for Aboriginal People's Health. He also served on the Canadian Executive Service Organization. These roles show his dedication to public service and Indigenous communities.

Published Works

Eber Hampton has written academic works, including:

• "Towards a Redefinition of Indian Education"
• "Alaska Recovery and Spirit Camps: First Nations Community Development"

Inspiring Quotes

Eber Hampton is known for his thoughtful words. Here are some of his quotes:

• "Racism is an ugly, dirty, nasty word. But the reality is that racism is so much worse than the word."
• "Standing on the earth with the smell of spring in the air, may we accept each other's right to live, to define, to think, and to speak."