The Value of Indigenous Knowledge

May 7

Advertorial PAID FOR BY Central Wyoming College

Riverton, Wyoming

Institute of Tribal Learning at CWC

The Institute of Tribal Learning located on the campus at Central Wyoming College has served the tribal communities of the Wind River Indian Reservation since 2017. Working with respect to the sovereignty of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho as well as other nations, both tribal, non-tribal students and the faculty are educated on tribal history, particularly that which is not taught in textbooks.

The institute was developed by Ivan Posey in 2017, Tribal Education Coordinator for CWC, which delves even further into tribal history. Ivan also founded the Tribal Wisdom Society in 2022 to educate tribal students about the history and culture of local and regional Native American tribes.

“Most of our written tribal history wasn’t written by us,” Ivan said. “A lot of our stories and history have been taught orally and we want to expose our students to tribal traditions that they might be missing or had not learned.”

Tribal Wisdom Society teaches students about the history and government systems within the tribes and their exposure to societies. An emphasis on having an active role in their communities is also part of the program. But it’s more than that.

“The Tribal Wisdom Society is not a leadership academia as much as it is – what the Native Americans call ‘Good Medicine,’” Dr. Brad Tyndall, President of CWC said. “What does it mean to be healthy and whole? What does a bright future look like for these students and how can TWS help students find their role in society?”

Though the program is a separate part of the college, both Ivan and Dr. Tyndall feel it’s a critical part. Studies have shown that tribal students that are more familiar with their background and culture are far more likely to succeed in the educational system.

Rising Leader award at the American Indians in Science and Engineering Society Leadership Summit in Pechanga California.jpg

“From a tribal point of view, there are a lot of students that weren’t raised traditionally, and we offer an important aspect of tribal learning,” Ivan explained. “We need to educate ourselves on ourselves by understanding how family and tribal traditions made us who we are. We don’t want to lose that history.”

The Native American student population at CWC is predominately from the Wind River Indian Reservation, but Ivan is excited that students from other tribes are becoming more and more interested in furthering their education through the Tribal Learning program.

“We’re expanding beyond our local tribes and spreading out to the Crow, Ute and Northern Cheyenne Reservations,” Ivan said. “In the future we also hope to appeal to non-tribal students. In the spirit of reciprocity, we want to look out for each other.”

An enrolled member of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe, Ivan is also Northern Arapaho and Northern Cheyenne. He was born in Lander and raised on the Wind River Indian Reservation and is the youngest of 13 children. He served in the U.S. Army and worked for the Forest Service and on the Tribal Council before he came to CWC nine years ago. Along with his role at CWC, he is also serving his first term in the Wyoming Legislature as the only tribal member. A life of public service for his tribe, community and country has been of utmost importance to him and he tries to teach that to his students.

“The secret to life is not a secret,” Ivan said. “It’s what do we do to help others.”

CWC is committed to fostering a deeper connection between Native Americans and the communities they live in while promoting their culture through education.

Beginning Tuesday, April 29, Central Wyoming College is hosting a five-day series of events Native Voices: Honoring Indigenous Ways celebrating Native American culture, storytelling, and traditions in Jackson, Wyoming, culminating with the 5th Annual Teton Powwow on May 3. This powerful five-day celebration of demonstrations, presentations, showcases the cultural Indigenous talents of dancers, filmmakers, athletes, artists, and chefs to share their wisdom and talents.