New Roots in America's Sacred Ground: Religion, Race, and Ethnicity in Indian America

Appendix

APPENDIX Interview Protocol Introduction I will provide an overview of research project and my rationale for study. I will have the participants sign consent forms and explain confidentiality and my reasons for recording the interview. I am interested in researching how people construct their identities. I will be asking you some questions concerning your identity at three specific stages of your life: adolescence, college years, and today. Self-Identification and Related Components Explain to interviewee: I am going to use a cardboard pie as a visual cue. I will ask the interviewee: Here is a pie that has many pieces. If the pieces represent different components of your identity, what do the pieces represent? What is your identity and what has gone into the making of your identity? How were these contents expressed behaviorally or attitudinally? Would your answer been different in college? If so, how? What pieces of the pie would contribute to your identity? What about as an adolescent? How would you describe yourself? What pieces of the pie would contribute to your identity? Adolescence Now let’s go back to your adolescence; tell me the story of how your identity has evolved. Who were the significant people in your life at the time? Did you ever consider yourself different from other kids? (neighborhood and/or school). How? 199 What was the racial and ethnic composition of your school/neighborhood ? If so, when did you first realize you were different from other people? How did you feel? What did you think? What effect did this event have in your life, your feelings about yourself, your family? Your friends? Who were the key people in your life (with regard to race and ethnicity)? What were key events (with regard to race and ethnicity), positive and negative—How did you deal with the situation(s)? Upon reflection, are there one or more significant events or individuals that you feel played a crucial role in your achievement of an ___ identity? What was the ethnic/racial/religious background of your friends? Who were your role models? Any significant people in your life? In what ways did these people impact on your attitude and behavior about yourself? Was there ever a time(s) that you wished you were not of Indian ancestry ? Why? Were there times you denied your Indianess? Why? How did you feel about being Indian American at this time? In what ways did these feelings translate into behaviors? College Now let’s go back to your college years; tell me the story of how your identity has evolved (developed). Where did you attend college? Did you ever consider yourself different from other students? How? Who were the key people in your life (with regard to race and ethnicity )? What were key events (with regard to race and ethnicity), positive and negative—How did you deal with the situation(s)? As a college student what does it mean to you to have an identity as an ___? Upon reflection, are there one or more significant events or individuals that you feel played a crucial role in your achievement of an ___ identity? 200 APPENDIX What was the ethnic/racial/religious background of the majority of your friends? Who were your role models? In what ways did these people impact on your attitude and behavior about yourself? How does your ethnic heritage have a place in undergraduate life in the United States? Was your ethnic identity in conflict with being an “American” college student? If so, how? Did you experience isolation as an Indian American student from the Indian community on campus? What was it like in class? What is it like to be in school with other Indian American students? Without other Indian/Indian American students? Was there ever a time(s) that you wished you were not of Indian ancestry ? Why? Were there times you denied your Indianess? Why? Did you belong to any ethnic student groups? Did you take any courses related to Indian religion/literature/ languages/politics, etc.? Tell me about the difference in your experience as an Indian American college student between your first year and last year of college. Adult Now consider your life today. Tell me how your identity has evolved since college. Do you ever consider yourself different from other people today? How? Who are the key people in your life...