Students gathered in the auditorium on Friday, November 21, for a special presentation on Indigenous culture and tribal history. Darren Parry, former chairman of the Northwestern Band of the Shoshone Nation, spoke about his life, his ancestors, and the experiences of his tribe. Parry also teaches Native American History at Utah State University and serves as a practitioner-in-residence at the University of Utah.

Teachers offered a variety of reactions to the presentation. Mr. Terry Crook said, “It was good, I didn’t know much about it beforehand.”

Social Studies instructor Sharolyn Stauffer was instrumental in arranging Parry’s visit. She praised his personal connection to the history, noting, “I just know he cares about his people’s stories and his people’s perspectives… It’s good to have someone who has a different perspective on history who can share a different side of the story like he did.”

Students were thoughtful after the assembly. “I thought it was interesting,” said Kanyon Rivas. “It made me wonder if everything he said was true and based on fact or if he was just advocating for one side.” Other students appreciated hearing directly from Parry, finding value in his personal storytelling.

Some students expressed how meaningful it was to learn the tribe’s history firsthand. “I thought it was very cool and interesting,” said Piper Galvin. “I’m glad I got to learn about his past and his tribe’s past.” Stauffer added that Parry aims to show a fuller view of his ancestors, explaining, “He wants to give credit to the people in the past—they’re not as violent as they seemed.”

The presentation sparked discussion throughout the school and encouraged many to think more deeply about how Indigenous history is told. Whether students agreed or questioned aspects of the presentation, the event succeeded in opening conversations about perspective, culture, and historical understanding.