 - The Eastern Shoshone Tribe issued a press release last week applauding the creation of a new scholarship endowment at the University of Wyoming for members of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes.){kind=link}
(Fort Washakie, WY) – The Eastern Shoshone Tribe recently issued a press release applauding the creation of a new scholarship endowment at the University of Wyoming for members of the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribes.
“The SBC expresses profound satisfaction with the recent announcement,” Shoshone Business Council Chairman Wayland K. Large said in the press release. “It was a long time coming. … For decades, the Eastern Shoshone Tribe has voiced the crucial need for this endowment and has pressed university leadership to take a closer look at their commitment to fostering educational opportunities and increasing accessibility for a vital segment of Wyoming’s population.”
The SBC said the new initiative will open doors to higher education for many deserving students, fostering greater access and opportunity within the region while strengthening the relationship between the tribes and UW.
“The University of Wyoming is a land grant institution, and it is key that they work with tribes and provide student support,” said Harmony Spoonhunter, Director of the Eastern Shoshone Education Program, which facilitates scholarships to students who are members of the Eastern Shoshone Tribe. “This endowment is the first step in continuing those efforts while at the same time alleviating some of the financial burdens associated with university attendance for students from the Wind River Communities.
“While the tribe endeavors to support students nationwide with limited funding, this endowment will increase enrollment at UW and will empower tribal students to pursue higher education within the state of Wyoming and a little closer to home.”
In last week’s press release, the SBC and the Education program acknowledged that many students pursue double majors in Native American and Indigenous Studies (NAIS) and other disciplines.
“We believe this combination is valuable for strengthening our tribal sovereignty in Wyoming, particularly in the fields of education, economic development, natural resources, and health,” the press release states. “Therefore, the SBC and the Education program support the continuation of the NAIS program at UW.”
The tribes’ Memorandum of Understanding with UW will be revisited, according to the press release, and efforts will be made to ensure students are staying connected with tribal communities through internships, mentorships, and the workforce.
“We applaud the efforts made by the Trustees, and we acknowledge that this is a culmination of past Councils and Education Leaders, who were always bringing this effort to the table,” the press release states.
The SBC also recently met with Colorado State University to discuss an MOU, according to the press release.
“This initiative also aims to target the financial constraints that hinder the educational pursuits of tribal students and ways in which we can collaboratively help them achieve their academic aspirations,” the press release states.
For more information, call the SBC at (307) 332-2111.