Contact Us

High Plains American Indian Research Institute (HPAIRI)

Mailing: Dept 3355, 1000 E. University Ave.

Physical: 200 S. 10th St.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: 307.766.8967

Email: HPAIRI@uwyo.edu

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NEH Elk Culture Project

The Wind River elk project Supports efforts to discover, understand, and communicate ways in which Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho people have known and celebrated elk through stories, songs, visual art, and ceremonial life. 

While recognizing the historical, political, and cultural differences between the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho people, the work being done through this project demonstrates that both tribes have longstanding relationships with elk, often seeing elk as important relatives with spiritual, economic, political, social, linguistic, and artistic dimensions. 


This humanities work is being carried out by four partners including the University of Wyoming High Plains American Indian Research Institute, the Wyoming Humanities Council, Wyoming School District 14 at Ethete, and Wyoming School District 21 at For Washakie. 

Tribal members are playing lead roles in acquiring knowledge about the historical and cultural dimensions of elk and designing ways to incorporate that information into schools and communities on the Wind River Indian Reservation. It is anticipated that these activities will build community and enhance the role of humanities in tribal life. Additionally, this work will serve as a model for incorporating Native American curriculum throughout Wyoming schools as envisioned in Indian Education for all legislation. 


One element of this project's effort to discover, understand and communicate the significance of elk for the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho people has been the creation of an elk culture collection. When completed, this collection of photographs, written materials, and oral histories, all related to elk on the Wind River Reservation, will be available to persons throughout Wyoming and beyond through easy access to the elk project website, or directly through the University of Wyoming Libraries.

A matching grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to the University of Wyoming is providing significant funding for this project. Other vitally necessary funding has been provided by private donors Kathy Jenkins and Mike Shonsey, and from the University of Wyoming Libraries. Fundraising is underway to provide additional support necessary to complete work already begun and to move the Wind River elk project forward. 


 

Contact Us

High Plains American Indian Research Institute (HPAIRI)

Mailing: Dept 3355, 1000 E. University Ave.

Physical: 200 S. 10th St.

Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: 307.766.8967

Email: HPAIRI@uwyo.edu

Find us on Instagram (Link opens a new window)Find us on Facebook (Link opens a new window)Find us on Twitter (Link opens a new window)Find us on LinkedIn (Link opens a new window)Find us on YouTube (Link opens a new window)