Barbara Harshberger (Cherokee-Sac and Fox)

According to Barbara Harshberger, who has four of her own, Indian children are "way behind" other children in school. Adult guidance, she believes, is what's needed: "We need more parents to help out. If only they would call us and volunteer to help, together we could help our children do better in school." For her, the Indian Parent Committee at the Center is one of the most important activities there because "if we don't make sure our kids get a quality education, who will?"

But the children are not the only ones the Indian Center can help. "I didn't know much about my own people, the Cherokee, but now I'm learning - it's been a new awakening for me. And I'm sure others feel the same way."