When a curriculum committee began searching for new history textbooks at Wyoming Indian High School, the goal was simple: Find a book that included history of American Indian tribes.

Only 10 of the 15 books reviewed by the committee mentioned American Indian "history" - or casinos, Sacagawea and the high poverty on reservations.

"The rich cultural pieces were definitely missing," said Michelle Hoffman, superintendent of Fremont County School District 14.

The lack of knowledge about American Indian culture and history is only one reason Hoffman and Fremont 14's Board of Education have proposed a statewide "Indian Education for All" act to the Wyoming School Boards Association.

"The state doesn't offer any sort of culture or history of the Shoshone or Arapaho tribes," said Clarinda Burson, president of the District 14 board. "We're the only reservation in the state. I think we just need to let people know our history and our culture."

State association members voted "no recommendation" on the proposal, though Hoffman and others will offer more information at a meeting on Wednesday in Casper.

Johann Nield, president of the state school boards association, said members won't give a definite "yes" or "no" recommendation to the state Department of Education until they are sure the act is good for all students and all districts.

"The way I read it is that all schools would have to be forced to teach Indian culture," Nield said. "The resolution was not strong enough to just go 'pass' or 'no pass.'"

Schools are already knee-deep in meeting requirements of the federal No Child Left Behind Act, Nield added, and they shouldn't be required to take on extras. He said many schools are already do an OK job of educating students about American Indian culture.

"In today's world, we have so many other things that are being required of the kids today," he said. "Our day is so taken up in other things it's hard to mandate something a school doesn't need."

The resolution states schools have an obligation to prepare students to be successful Wyoming citizens, and that having basic knowledge of the state's tribes is necessary to that.

The resolution also stipulates that all school personnel should have an understanding and awareness of tribes to help them relate with American Indian students and parents.

Education is the easiest way to reach students and give them accurate information, Hoffman said.

"A lot of the name calling, the stereotypes, the war whoops, are because people haven't been taught," Hoffman said. "You know, on the rez, not everyone lives in teepees.

"The reservation in Wyoming is over 2 million square miles. You can't just ignore it."

Reach education reporter Jasa Santos at (307) 266-0593 or at Jasa.Santos@trib.com. Read her blog at my.trib.com/jasasantos.