In the news: Journal Sentinel story highlights First Nations Studies program

UW-Green Bay’s award-winning First Nations Studies program was highlighted Thursday (Oct. 9) in a Milwaukee Journal Sentinel article that examines UW System efforts to recruit and retain Native American students. Increasing the number of Native students on campuses remains a challenge, the article says, but UW-Green Bay’s First Nations Studies program “is considered a model for building understanding and respect of tribal cultures.” Reporter Karen Herzog spoke with several UW-Green Bay faculty members, as well as Tribal Elders-in-Residence David “Napos” Turney Sr. and Richie Plass, both of whom work closely with UW-Green Bay students to increase awareness and dispel myths. Native students consider the elders as campus allies, the story says, emphasizing that it’s important to help non-Native students learn about them. In addition to Turney and Plass, Herzog interviewed faculty members Lisa Poupart, Tim Kaufman and David Voelker about the program and its benefits for Native and non-Native students alike. Full story.