Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals

In late September 2023, after months of planning, school board meetings, and presenting the idea to many entities, including the Inter-Tribal business council, students from Wyoming Indian Schools attended the first ever Wind River Indigenous Youth Culture and Climate Day Camp. Elementary school students came for one day, middle schoolers the next, and high school upperclassmen the last.

Each day camp began with a prayer from a Shoshone or Arapaho Elder. On the first day as the group assembled for a Shoshone Elder, a very unexpected, yet very welcome guest arrived to join us in prayer. Our relative joined us to let us know he was with us and supported what we were doing. The Elder paused briefly, as everyone realized that a buffalo had joined to listen to the prayer from the hilltop. The Elder said that the buffalo recognized the Shoshone language, and she continued the prayer. As the Elder continued, the buffalo stayed on the hilltop for the remainder of the prayer, and as the Elder finished, the buffalo moseyed down the hillside and into the ravine, towards the river. The buffalo was remarkably close to the children, but they sat still in awe, whispering their amazement. Wes told the children, “He’s here to let us know that he’s with us. He supports what we’re doing. We’re the ones with a voice. We have to talk for him.” One student, when reflecting on what they learned at the camp, wrote “I learned that the buffalo comes when you pray.” Everyone – children, Elders, and facilitators – agreed it was a good blessing for the start of the day camps.

Throughout the day, students were split into small groups and spent time exploring language, buffalo, wildlife, cooking, culture, conservation, climate change, and their local environment at booths hosted by Wind River residents, Shoshone and Arapaho Tribal Elders, representatives from federal agencies, and field scientists.

The US Fish and Wildlife Service brought an assortment of furs and bones from local animals that students were encouraged to touch and try on, and hold and feel the antlers, skulls, and other bones. Later they moved on to the Shoshone and Arapaho language and culture booths, where they were taught bits of the language and some traditional uses of buffalo. Grilled buffalo burgers gave students hands-on experience cooking traditional foods while they further learned the importance of using every part of the buffalo. Students used a mortar and pestle to blend spices and seasonings for the buffalo patties. Other booths showcased small science experiments, emphasizing water and resource management and the importance of conservation practices in the region.

While the day camps connected students to their Elders and the respective Shoshone and Arapaho cultures, all while providing them with hands-on learning activities in their local environment, it was crucial that the students spent time outside, learning and playing on Traditional Lands. Students saw the impacts of climate change on the land first-hand through an interactive teaching on the uses of sagebrush led by the National Park Service, and the stressors it is currently facing due to water availability, heat, and wildfires. While younger students reflected on climate change and the role of conservation on protecting species like sagebrush, older students considered the possibility of a career with these federal agencies, back on or near the Wind River Reservation – exactly what Wes hoped they would do

“All we’re trying to do is strengthen our families and our communities. That’s all we’re trying to do.” – Wes Martel, Greater Yellowstone Coalition

The best way to combat the climate impacts Wind River is facing, Wes Martel says, is to use good science and good technical information, but also to use teachings from Elders. The day camps not only hope to connect Wind River Indigenous Youth to the land, but to get them to start thinking of careers back on the Reservation. Connecting with the University of Wyoming has been essential in dispelling anxieties students on the Wind River Reservation have about college. Not only do the day camp hosts hope to encourage Wind River high school students to think about getting a degree in STEM, but they hope to create connections for internships and fellowships back on the Reservation for students in college.

Wes hopes that the camps not only connect Wind River Youth back to the land, but also gets them to understand their Tribal Sovereignty and Wind River governance. He says, “It’s just so important, just to know our system, know our government, connect our Elders with our young people.” The Reservation is shared by two Tribes, the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho, and has no constitution, which makes its governance structure unique. When students consider returning to the Wind River Reservation for work after college graduation, he hopes that they consider their Tribal Governance in their careers too, regardless of the field they’re in.