For years, Wind River’s tribal advocates have suggested that Wyoming kids lack access to authentic education about the state’s Native American heritage. Some said that has led to insensitive or even racist encounters when tribal sports teams travel to other school districts.
But last year, lawmakers passed a bill called Indian Education For All that will require schools to teach the history and culture of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone as part of the social studies curriculum statewide. To help do that, the Wyoming Humanities Council has developed fold-out exhibits to be placed in all Wyoming’s school districts and library systems.
Wyoming Public Radio’s Melodie Edwards sat down with Humanities Council Director Shannon Smith to learn more.