Language Diversity

In a nation where literacy seems to be a dominant focus in our schools it seems that we easily forget where we came from. "Multilingualism was always highly valued in Indigenous societies and, indeed, was essential for trade and survival in one of the most culturally, linguistically, and ecologically diverse regions of the world."(Lomawaima, McCarty 2006) But as our nation developed indigenous societies were not looked at in this sense.  I find it surprising that, "In fact, first-language literacy among the Cherokees in the early 1800s was higher than that of the local White population"(Lomawaima, McCarty 2006).  It was easy for white missionaries to decide they were going to make it better for Navajo, Cherokee and other indigenous groups, they didn't understand and there for didn't trust these groups.
Lomawaima and McCarty write that "Native societies were assumed to entirely lack or possess only rudimentary forms of the building blocks of a civilized society, such as governing bodies, codes of law, or organized religion. US educators assumed that Native societies also lacked educational systems." (2006) But that was far from the truth. Native societies had all of these in place, it just didn't fit the mold of the standard educators felt worked best.
Currently there aren't many educators out there who would say that every student learns at the same rate, or in the same way. But what has changed over the years to make us see that? And why are we still holding on to the need for language learning the same way we always have?
After reading about triligualism and the use of multi-languages it makes sense that students who have the literacy skills for a native language and English would do well. I think it should be embraced and expected more, that students who are English first learners about have their second language courses at younger ages instead of waiting to a point where it is harder to grasp.