Words of Preservation: Arapaho Language at University of Wyoming

For eight years, Wayne C'Hair has commuted from the Wind River Indian Reservation in central Wyoming to teach an Arapaho language course at the University of Wyoming. Very few members of the Northern Arapaho tribe are able to converse in their native language and most of the fluent speakers are elderly. Through traditional instruction, games, meals, and visits with elders, UW students have the opportunity to immerse themselves in indigenous language and culture. The elders, in turn, are helped by UW students and instructors to learn new teaching methods for which to teach their native tongue. It is the hope of the UW American Indian Studies Program that their efforts will help to preserve this endangered language. Video by University of Wyoming Television, Outreach School Shot and Edited by: Ali Grossman, UWTV Still Photos provided by: Johnna Nunez Video Coordinators: Judy Antell and Robyn Lopez