What’s Your Why? I know, I know. You’ve heard this before. It’s not a NEW question, but the answer IS always evolving… So. We. Can’t. Stop. Asking! This show explores the human experience by way of our natural and diverse DNA through storytelling. We bring to life the many pillars of our humanity: Culture, community, history, literature, and art. Our purpose is to expand your vision of the world, educate, inspire, and give you critical thinking skills needed to apply to your own journey and create more connectivity and significance within the human experience. With nationally and internationally renowned humanists - authors, journalists, philosophers, artists and scientists - we adventure into conversations about where they’ve been, how they are wired, what makes them tick, and how their history relates to the greater world and you. Get inspired, gain perspective and reflect on What’s Your Why?
https://www.thinkwy.org/whats-your-why
Dr. Tarissa Spoonhunter: Cultural Pride and Education on the Reservation
Dr. Tarissa Spoonhunter, professor of American Indian Studies at Central Wyoming College, is focused on sharing Native knowledge in order to increase understanding and build relationships—something that resides deep in her roots growing up on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation.
Her Nation Building classes introduce Federal Indian law and policy classes to help American Indians learn about contemporary issues that they are facing today in subject areas of treaty rights, national forest, national parks, and traditional ecological rights.
At age nine, Spoonhunter was given the name Medicine Beaver Woman by her people, a name she remembers feeling came with a great deal of responsibility. Spoonhunter carried that responsibility throughout her life accomplishments. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology from the University of Montana and a Master of Arts and a Ph.D. in American Indian Studies from the University of Arizona. She earned awards from the National Science Foundation, published numerous research papers and has presented at national conferences.
According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Native American scholars only earned 0.3 percent of doctorate degrees. Spoonhunter feels that receiving recognition for an award from a national organization such as the Emerging Scholar will encourage fellow Native Americans to pursue doctoral degrees in the future.
"Education is key to the sharing of knowledge. We share knowledge not saying that our way is the best way, but to build bridges, to share and come to an agreement. A lot of times the natives have been consulted by the Park Service for management of animals but rarely are they given a seat at the table, that's one of the issues for instance…” - Tarissa Spoonhunter.