Nez Perce College and Career Readiness: Wíiwyeteq’is "Growing into an Elder"

Authors

Zoe Higheagle Strong, Washington State UniversityFollow
Emma M. McMain, Washington State UniversityFollow
Angel Sobotta, Nez Perce TribeFollow
Joyce M. McFarland, Nez Perce TribeFollow
Josiah Blackeagle Pinkham, Nez Perce TribeFollow

Abstract

The Nez Perce Mentoring Project (NPMP) addresses the need for a relationship-based and culturally sustaining/revitalizing approach to prepare Native American boys for college/careers and their overall role in the tribal community. The purpose of this study was to explore the preparation and mentoring supports that are perceived as helpful within the Nez Perce community and that may be further nurtured through the NPMP. Through focus groups utilizing Indigenous methods, participants conveyed the importance of wíiwyeteq’is, someone who is always growing. Wíiwyeteq’is is woven into four themes that guide the NPMP: piˀnit’ipec (reciprocal giving), híitemˀyekin’ (someone who is prepared for life), timmíyuninˀ (someone who is responsible), and qaˀnqaˀán (someone who is respectful). By bolstering cultural strengths, programs such as the NPMP may continue to help young men build meaningful careers and lives.

Recommended Citation

Higheagle Strong, Zoe; McMain, Emma M.; Sobotta, Angel; McFarland, Joyce M.; and Pinkham, Josiah Blackeagle (2020) "Nez Perce College and Career Readiness: Wíiwyeteq’is "Growing into an Elder"," Journal of Indigenous Research: Vol. 8: Iss. 2020, Article 7.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.usu.edu/kicjir/vol8/iss2020/7