In Internships

Yellowstone National Park is integral to the identities of many American Indian tribes whose historic relationships with the land preceded park establishment.  Governmental constraints and changing park policies have altered tribes’ relationships with the park, but have not diminished their vital interest in and connections with park resources.  Today, federal law and National Park Service policies mandate park consultation with American Indian tribes.  Yellowstone’s Ethnography Program was established in 2000 to ensure that the park met those mandates.  The program’s objectives are to (1) collaborate with tribes to identify the resources that were and still are important to their identities, (2) safeguard the ability of Yellowstone’s associated tribes to maintain relationships with and to practice non-consumptive traditions on the park landscape, (3) facilitate positive consultation experiences between tribes and park staff, and (4) manage the Ethnographic Resources Inventory database, which contains the results of ethnographic research and consultation for use in culturally sensitive planning, management, and visitor education. 

The ethnography program interns assisted the Ethnography Program staff in conducting formal consultation and informal communication with the 26 tribes traditionally associated with Yellowstone National Park during several projects which were planned each summer.  The primary responsibilities outlined for the interns included: (1) making logistical arrangements for tribal visits, (2) assisting in the coordination of tribal events in Yellowstone, (3) facilitating tribal requests through research and preparation of reference materials, (4) conducting oral history interviews, and (5) completing data entry of ethnographic resource information gleaned from tribal members.  The interns were expected to communicate in-person and via phone with tribal members and park staff, utilize research and writing skills, participate in tribal events and trips to reservations, maintain organized files, and generally aid the Ethnography staff in the implementation of projects.

During summer 2007, both interns focused much of their time on updating two important ethnographic databases: Ethnographic Resources Inventory (ERI) and N-Vivo.  ERI is a continually updated catalogue of archaeological sites and material objects, including flora, fauna and other natural elements which are of cultural significance to various Native American tribes affiliated with Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks.  The inventory includes extensive information about the uses and significance of each resource, including any mythology or ritual ceremonies associated with the site or object.  Many of the catalogued resources are confidential, but the database can be used by park administration to ensure that traditionally significant natural resources are preserved and protected in carrying out park activities such as site construction, prescribed burns, bison culling or other activities.

N-Vivo is a relatively new database of primary and secondary sources which provide insight into the history of Indian tribes in Yellowstone, historically and prehistorically.  Interns focused on extensive qualitative coding on articles, book excerpts, and first-hand accounts from the Nez Perce War of 1877.

Also during summer 2007, one intern conducted extensive research at the park’s Heritage and Research Center on the Bannock Trail, a “lost” trail which runs through the northern part of the park.  The intern searched for texts containing references to the Bannock Trail, or evidence of its existence.  This information is being gathered at the request of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribe, with the hope that the trail may one day receive federal recognition as a National Historic Trail.

During summer 2006, each intern focused on a distinct project.  One Stanford intern focused on organizing the 3rd Annual Nez Perce Memorial Ceremony in Yellowstone.  This intern organized the logistics of the Nez Perce Tribe’s visit, managed the publicity and public relations, and wrote articles for publication after the ceremony.  This intern also arranged for the Nez Perce from the Appaloosa Horse Club to come to the park for a trail ride along the Nez Perce National Historic Trail to honor their ancestors.

The other Stanford intern acted as the project manager on a project to complete an ethnographic field survey and report of all of the known wickiup sites within the park.  Wickiups are conical log structures that were used historically by several Native American tribes as war lodges, temporary shelters, and travel stops.  Before visiting the sites, the intern did a significant amount of research, which involved sifting through archeological surveys, articles, and observations made by explorers, hunters and Native Americans.  The intern also interviewed people and collected maps, drawings and oral histories, to learn about the locations, historical uses and cultural significance of each wickiup site.  For each site visit, the intern was responsible for planning, navigation and documentation, including taking notes about measurements and structural details, as well as collecting photographs, video documentation and GIS information for each wickiup.  After all the sites were visited, the intern wrote a detailed report about the survey, which became part of a larger ethnographic study taking place in five different national parks.

Other projects undertaken by the interns during summer 2006 included: (1) field work on the Bannock Trail, much of which runs through the park, (2) interpreting and coding oral histories relating to the Nez Perce National Historic Trail, (3) archeological field work on a survey of known camp sites form the Nez Perce War of 1877, and (4) updating the database of contact information for various tribes.

Dates

This internship was offered in Summers 2007, 2006 and 2005.