Tribal Talks: Protecting Languages, Preserving Cultures

Presented by:

D. Lynette St. Clair, Eastern Shoshone
Indigenous Education Consultant/Language Preservationist

Lynette is dedicated to bringing education and awareness to ensure that native history and languages are represented in an authentic and respectful way. She was part of a coalition of Indian Educators, Board Members, and allies who championed the passing of the Indian Education for All Bill, which became law in 2018.

In 2015, Lynette received the National Johnson O’Malley Teacher of the Year award for her use of technology for language instruction. In 2018, she assisted in developing the first Shoshone Language App called the Newe Daygwap App and in 2019 was instrumental in helping students at Fort Washakie High create the first ever mobile tour app called “Explore the Wind River Indian Reservation”. In 2020, St. Clair developed a college and career curriculum called Dream Navigator-Davai Doygeen (A New Day Coming) that features Shoshone specific content for learning. Lynette was awarded the 2019 Wyoming Woman of Influence in Education award for her work throughout her career.

Marlin Spoonhunter
Tribe: Hinono’ei -Northern Arapaho and his Arapaho name is Boh’ooo Niieihii Niitouu
(Whistling Thunder Eagle)

Marlin is President of the Wind River Tribal College and serves as an adjunct instructor for CWC Arapaho Language classes and NAS courses.

His education includes an AA degree from Haskell Indian Jr. College now Haskell Indian Nations University, B.A from University of Montana in elementary education and two master’s degrees from Montana State University in adult Education and administrative Leadership. He worked for 20 years at District #9 Browning Public Schools and has worked for the past 15 years at the Wind River Tribal College and Northern Arapaho Tribe.

Raphael ‘Ray’ Youngchief
Raphael ‘Ray’ Youngchief is an Arapaho Language Teacher at Wyoming Indian Schools, where he teaches 6th through 12th grades. A proud graduate of Central Wyoming College and Wyoming Indian School High School, he was inspired to pursue a career in teaching after being offered a teaching position to teach the Arapaho Language. Raphael grew up in a traditional Arapaho home where the language was spoken daily. He comes from a long line of Arapaho Language Teachers. His mother, Avalene Moss-Glenmore, Grandmother, Gladys Goggles-Moss, taught Arapaho Language at the elementary level while his Grandfather, Alonzo Moss Sr, taught at the high school level and college level for Central Wyoming College, University of Wyoming and the University of Colorado in Boulder, CO. Prior to working at Wyoming Indian Schools, he served as a Youth Coordinator for the Northern Arapaho Tribe. His job duties as the Youth Coordinator included being responsible for the Johnson O’Malley Program that covered 4 School Districts, 2 Headstart Programs, and 2 Immersion Schools. In his free time, he can be found hanging out with his family, and friends. Ray loves to work on language materials and is always willing to teach those who want to learn Arapaho.