CMP Professor Broadcasts Indigenous Peoples’ Day Radio Episode on KISU

As ISU hosted its first Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebration on Oct. 14, associate professor of journalism and media studies Zac Gershberg recorded a Know Your Media episode on KISU featuring Randy'L Teton (public affairs manager for Shoshone-Bannock Tribes), Dr. Liz Kickham (assistant professor of anthropology and director of American Indian studies) and Lethaniel Loley (director of Native American Student Services).

The discussion was wide-ranging, from highlighting the Indigenous Peoples’ Day events on campus to analyzing media coverage of Native American issues and the harmful depiction of athletic mascots.

“Indigenous people are no longer silent,” Teton said on the air. “We are now saying something and you can hear our voices, and that’s really powerful for a lot of our younger generation.”

Brad Little declared Oct. 14 Idaho’s first Indigneous Peoples Day. At ISU, events included a sunrise ceremony, cultural performances, panel discussions, film screenings, workshops and speeches from President Kevin Satterlee and tribal members. 

“It’s just been a fantastic day with lots of community engagement and lots of student engagement,” Kickham said.

Teton expressed gratitude for the recent partnership forged between ISU and the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes. President Satterlee and Shoshone-Bannock Tribal Council chairman Nathan Small signed a Memorandum of Agreement in April committing to enhance educational and cultural opportunities in Southeast Idaho.

Native American Student Services, headed by Loley, provides support for indigenous students through academic advising, tutoring, resources and advocacy. The American Indian studies program, a minor in the Department of Anthropology, instructs students in Native American history, literature and languages.

“Having Liz and Lathaniel here at the Idaho State University campus has been such a blessing,” Teton said. “Now you actually see our educational system growing with the difference of adding the indigenous knowledge and their tribal faces, so our students on campus can relate to talking to them.”

The full episode can be accessed at https://www.kisu.org/post/know-your-media-and-indigenous-peoples-day.