Melvin Arthur Department of Social Work, Dr. Christopher Russell Department of English

1. Melvin Arthur Department of Social Work, Dr. Christopher Russell Department of English Complacency and Lack of Discourse Regarding Tribal Land Boundaries on the Wind River Indian Reservation PROPOSED RESEARCH PROJECT History of Property Rights and Current Ramifications This project will investigate the current symbolic interpersonal relationship existing among Northern Arapaho tribal members and Eastern Shoshone tribal members. Recent court proceedings have demanded a unification of the Shoshone and Arapaho entities in order to litigate tribal property rights in the interest of all tribal members on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Statement of the Problem The study is designed to determine if the complacency and lack of discourse on tribal land boundaries differs among Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone tribal members on the Wind River Indian Reservation. Hypothesis I hypothesize that Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribal members on the Wind River Indian Reservation and surrounding areas will offer different reasons for their complacency and lack of discourse concerning tribal land issues. Importance of the Study This study could be important to the members of both the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribes, as it discusses the bipartisan issue that leaves property boundaries in dispute on the Wind River Indian Reservation. The study may bring to light the nature of the pacifisms that stymies a resolution of property rights for future generations. • Methods • This study will use narrative inquiry consisting of one-on-one interviews with participants. • Participants • All participants will be over the age of 18 years of age living on or near the area surrounding the Wind River Indian Reservation. • Ten to twenty tribal members from the Northern Arapaho and Eastern Shoshone Tribes will be included in the study. • Criteria will be based on participants formal and informal leadership roles, long term personal relationships, and positions of authority in both tribes. • Procedure • Data Collection and Analysis • Data will be gathered through personal interviews that are somewhat unstructured. This will allow for spontaneity of participants to more deeply explore their experiences using open ended questions. • The interviews will take from 30-45 minutes. • Interviews will be recorded and transcribed. • Coding will be based on similar experiences among the members of the communities in and around the Wind River Indian Reservation. Northern Arapaho Eastern Shoshone Chief Black Coal (l) and Chief Washakie (r). Images courtesy of the American Heritage Center, UW. Acknowledgements I would like to thank the McNair Scholars Program as well as Zackie Salmon, Susan Stoddard, Dr. Christopher Russell, my family and the Wind River Indian Reservation. Map of Wind River Indian Reservation