Yellowstone Association Institute Press Releases

Yellowstone Association Institute Press Releases Index

Indians and Geysers

May 2, 2006

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK – One of the most persistent misconceptions about Yellowstone is that Native Americans were afraid of its geysers. In this course being offered by the Yellowstone Association Institute, students can learn the truth through visits with the park’s anthropologist to hydrothermal sites that tribes consider vital to their culture. They will learn about the importance of the Mud Volcano area, Norris Geyser Basin, and Mammoth Hot Springs through short hikes and discussions. They will also visit Roaring Mountain and Apollinaris Spring to find out about their importance to the tribes.

The course, taught by Rosemary Sucec, will begin June 25 at 9 a.m. and end at 5 p.m. that day. Rosemary is the liaison between Yellowstone National Park and its 26 associated tribes. She communicates with the tribes, facilitates their official visits to the park, and arranges government-to-government consultations. A cultural anthropologist for Yellowstone National Park, she has worked ten years with the National Park Service.

The course will entail leisurely hikes of up to 1 mile per day through relatively flat terrain on maintained trails. The fee for the course is $80 (Yellowstone Association members receive a $10 discount). Lodging is available at the Mammoth Hotel. Please call 307-344-5566 for rates and reservations.

The Institute is a nonprofit field school operated by the National Park’s official educational partner, the Yellowstone Association. The Institute offers a variety of courses in ecology, wilderness skills, and natural history year-round in Yellowstone National Park.

To enroll in this or another field seminar, or to request a catalog that includes a full description of all summer and fall courses, please contact the Yellowstone Association Institute at PO Box 117, Yellowstone National Park, WY 82190 307-344-2294. Complete information is also available at www.YellowstoneAssociation.org.