Idaho Humanities Council

Join our team! The Idaho Humanities Council, a state nonprofit partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities located in Boise, Idaho, seeks a full-time (40 hours), Program Officer. This position will oversee the Council’s subaward program as well as its Museum on Main Street traveling exhibit program. The position will also coordinate IHC’s Human Ties conversation program.

The ideal candidate will be detail-oriented, a believer in the power of the humanities, and dedicated to IHC’s mission and guiding principles.

Our mission and vision: To provide opportunities to deepen public understanding of human experience by connecting people with ideas. The vision of the IHC is that the humanities inspire a more literate, tolerant and intellectually inquisitive Idaho citizenry, better able to embrace life’s possibilities.

Our guiding principles:
-We believe that the humanities should be open, accessible, and welcoming to all Idahoans.
-We believe that every story contributes to a deeper understanding of being human.
-We believe that respectful communication provides opportunities to learn new perspectives.
-We believe that curiosity about the variety of expressions of the human spirit teaches us the value of our differences.

The ideal candidate will support staff in pursuit of these ends.

Salary: $60K/year, plus full IHC benefits package (health, dental, vision, life insurance, retirement plan, vacation, sick leave, and holidays).

Full details about the position as well as instructions on how to apply can be found at https://idahohumanities.org/employment/.

A reminder for those interested in bringing the Smithsonian to your community in 2025. The IHC is now accepting applications to bring the next traveling exhibit, Voices and Votes, from the Smithsonian Institution to rural communities across Idaho in 2025 through the Museum on Main Street program. IHC covers all expenses including shipping, publicity, travel to two workshops, and provides $1,500 for programming. Applications must be received by August 1st, 2024.

IHC will select four host sites throughout the state to host the tour. The first stop on the tour will begin on July 5th, 2025.

Museums, libraries, art centers, and community centers interested in bringing this unique experience to their rural town are strongly encouraged to apply.

IHC is especially interested in receiving applications from rural communities with populations under 20,000.

Voices and Votes: Democracy in America will be a springboard for discussions about critical questions and how they are reflected in local stories. Our democracy demands action, reaction, vision, and revision. From revolution and suffrage, to civil rights and casting ballots, everyone in every community is part of this ever-evolving story – the story of democracy in America.

Complete details about the exhibit, venue/partner requirements, and how to apply can be found on our website at https://idahohumanities.org/programs/smithsonian-exhibits-voicesandvotes/.

Passionate about the humanities? IHC is currently seeking applications to fill one public position from Southwest Idaho and one academic position from Southeast Idaho on our volunteer board of directors. The application link is now live on our website and applications are being received through Sept. 3rd.

Head to our website for a complete description of the application process and what is entailed in volunteer board service for our statewide nonprofit organization.

https://idahohumanities.org/idaho-humanities-council-seeks-one-public-and-one-academic-board-member/

For those in the area, the 18th Malad Valley Welsh Festival is this weekend. IHC is proud to support aspects of the weekend's programming through our Major Grants program.

Welsh Festival Preview | Oneida County Newspaper Everyone is invited to the 18th Malad Valley Welsh Festival. There will be something for everyone – whether or not you are Welsh!

A new work in progress opera telling Sacajawea's story is debuting in Idaho this week. You can catch a special performance and talk with the creators on Saturday, June 22nd, at 1pm at The Community Library in Ketchum. IHC is proud to support this program with a Gem State grant. This event will also be live streamed for those unable to attend in person. Details on the work and the event can be found in Karen Bossick's Eye on Sun Valley article.

https://eyeonsunvalley.com/Story_Reader/11790/Sacajawea’s-Opera-Boasts-Native-American-Sign-Language-and-Oral-Language/

Sacajawea’s Opera Boasts Native American Sign Language and Oral Language “Nu Nah-Hup.” That’s the name of a new opera telling Sacajawea’s story..... READ MORE

Happening next week!

One week until registration closes for this exciting opportunity to consider how the past is connected to the present!

On Saturday, June 22nd at 1PM the Idaho State Museum will be hosting the Idaho Humanities Council's Human Ties: Conversations That Matter. This community conversation complements the Museum's newest exhibit from Go For Broke National Education Center, Courage and Compassion: Our Shared Story of the Japanese American World War II Experience. Guided by facilitator, Shelley McEuen Howard, Professor of English at College of Southern Idaho, participants will explore themes of incarceration, patriotism, citizenship, and belonging.

To register and for more information, visit idaho.history.gov/events

Coming up this month… IHC will be facilitating a Human Ties conversation at the Idaho State Museum on Saturday, June 22nd at 1pm. Complimentary museum admission with registration for this free event.

Join us at the Idaho State Museum on Saturday June 22nd at 1PM for a Human Ties: Conversations That Matter on the Japanese American World War II experience. This Idaho Humanities Council's program brings communities together to have respectful and civil conversations about challenging topics that are meaningful to Idaho.

Using historical primary sources, facilitator Shelley McEuen Howard, Professor of English at College of Southern Idaho, will lead a discussion focused on the themes of incarceration, patriotism, citizenship, and belonging.

This event is free to the public. Pre-registration is required, expertise is not.

Participants will receive complimentary museum admission with their registration.

For more information, visit history.idaho.gov/events

This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Idaho Humanities Council, the state-based affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities.

The Idaho Humanities Council is pleased to announce that University of Idaho Professor Emeritus of Ethnography Rodney Frey will receive the 2023 Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities Award. IHC’s highest honor is awarded annually to recognize a high achievement that fosters greater understanding or appreciation of the humanities. Frey will be honored at a private reception later this summer in Moscow, Idaho.

“We are deeply honored to present Rodney Frey with the Idaho Humanities Council’s award for Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities,” said IHC Executive Director David Pettyjohn. “Those who nominated him all celebrated his strengths as a storyteller and colleague who has spent decades fostering a deeper understanding of Native American culture and experiences through collaboration and building trust within communities. His interdisciplinary approach with University of Idaho students, teachers and professors, and the general public over the years has had a considerable impact in Idaho.”

Frey has longstanding connections with numerous members of the Pacific Northwest Tribes and is quick to credit his various Indigenous hosts and mentors from the Crow, Coeur d’Alene, Little Shell Chippewa, Nez Perce, Warm Springs, and Wind River Shoshone tribes. “They nurtured and transformed [me], both professionally as well as personally,” said Frey. “They demonstrated the tremendous importance of traditional stories, of giving back to others, and of the power of empathy, the means that brings the cherished stories alive and that connects all peoples.”

More information about Frey and the Outstanding Achievement in the Humanities Award including a list of previous recipients is available in the full release.
https://idahohumanities.org/rodney-frey-to-receive-2023-outstanding-achievement-in-the-humanities-award/

On May 22nd, IHC presented the Outstanding Humanities Educator Award for 9-12th to Josh Udesen (Riverstone International School, Boise). For over twenty years, Josh Udesen has found that his world religions course is an ideal platform for encouraging curiosity about the variety of expression of the human spirit and teaching students about the value of our differences. Udesen states, “From the devout believer to the skeptical humanist, we all have questions about the world beyond ourselves. Where we come from, what is the meaning of it all, what happens to us, what is right, what is wrong, why certain things happen and students suddenly realize there are no easy answers.”

Mr. Udesen has taught in public and independent schools in Oregon, Uzbekistan and Idaho for more than 20 years. Through that entire period he has exemplified the best of Idaho values and the values of the International Baccalaureate programs through which he has taught for most of his career.
He has welcomed students from the local community as well as from the wider world - making American history, world religions and human geography accessible, interesting and challenging - in the process changing the trajectory of children's lives and setting them on courses that has taken them to the farthest reaches of the earth.

For more information about this year's Outstanding Humanities Educator Award, visit https://idahohumanities.org/about/educatoraward/

"...it was stories like that my dad began to share with me as I got older. When I was little I remember after he came home coming across a collection of photographs that he had that of course were put away and not allowed for our consumption. But he brought them home with him and as I recall our family stories I think that our mom eventually convinced him that it was best just to get rid of them. But they were all part and parcel of the memories that he carried and he always worried about other soldiers who didn't come home to the same kind of reception that he felt he received."

A new episode of Context, IHC's podcast, is now available on Spotify. Join host Johanna Bringhurst for a conversation with Kim Madsen Dill about the veteran’s literature class she teaches at the College of Southern Idaho, that was inspired by her father’s military service.

War. What is it good for? by Context Johanna interviews Kim Madsen Dill about the veteran’s literature class she teaches at the College of Southern Idaho, that was inspired by her father’s military service. Kim Madsen Dill has taught in the English Department at the College of Southern Idaho since 2004 and recently retired. She was...

Ticket sales for next year’s Boise event at The Egyptian with author Angeline Boulley are now live! We are thrilled to partner with The Cabin on this opportunity.

The Idaho Humanities Council and The Cabin are thrilled to present a special event with Angeline Boulley, the celebrated author of "Fire Keeper’s Daughter" and "Warrior Girl Unearthed."

🗓 Date: Thursday, February 27, 2025
🏛 Venue: The Egyptian Theatre
⏰ Time: 7:30 PM

This event is an exclusive add-on for the 2024-25 Readings & Conversations series and is not included with series tickets.

About the Author:
Angeline Boulley, an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, brings her Ojibwe community in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula to life through her storytelling. A former Director of the Office of Indian Education at the U.S. Department of Education, her debut novel, "Fire Keeper’s Daughter," became an instant #1 NYT Bestseller and is being adapted for Netflix by Higher Ground, Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company. Recognized with numerous awards, the book was also named one of the best 100 young adult books of all time by Time magazine.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to hear from one of the most compelling voices in contemporary literature!

🎟 Get your tickets here: https://www.thecabinidaho.org/all-events/angeline-boulley

We are so excited to present Miss Annika with an Outstanding Humanities Educator Award today in Ketchum!

Ketchum elementary teacher named among best humanities educators in Idaho A Ketchum teacher was named in April one of only three recipients of a statewide award recognizing superior contributions to history, philosophy and literature education.

It's the last day of Idaho Gives, and a huge thank you goes out to the 36 donors who have supported IHC during the first three days of this statewide giving initiative. With just one day to go, we've raised $4,830 toward our $10,000 goal in support of ideas, conversation, and sharing of wisdom.

Learning about our shared humanity through history, stories, and experiences is worthy of support in every corner of the Gem State. We would be honored by your support, and thank you for helping bring the humanities home in so many different ways through your gift! Visit our Idaho Gives page today.

https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/idaho-humanities-council-24c66a22-5720-4951-9d98-284db07bdbb5

Still reeling from the fact that National Poetry Month is over? This month, we've still got you covered in the Tortured Poets Department. IHC's podcast Context covers topics both serious and fun, and on occasion we take a deeper dive into what makes something fun more serious.

Context host Johanna Bringhurst recently sat down with Boise State sociology professor Dr. Sharon Paterson and two of her students to discuss Paterson's March workshop course about Taylor Swift. Whether you've listened to a note of her music or not, this talk has everything for the Taylor Swift superfan to the person who's just super curious about what pop stars say about us as human beings.

Commodification. Identity. Personas. Give this episode of Context a listen to learn more about the sociology of a pop star, or check out some of the many different eras we've covered over the past two years in our other episodes.

Sociology of a Pop Star: Taylor Swift by Context In March, Boise State sociology professor Dr. Sharon Paterson offered a workshop course about Taylor Swift. Learn about the sociology of a pop star as Johanna discusses the course with Dr. Paterson and students Sophie Pederson and Jazmyne Hartogh. Dr. Sharon Paterson’s 30-year career has been dedi...

It's Idaho Gives week, and to kick off the second half of these statewide days of giving we have a pool of $1,000 in matching funds for gifts to the IHC to get us that much closer to our goal for the week! Many thanks to those of you who've already contributed an amazing $2,415 thus far, and as of this morning we are a 1/4 of our way to our $10,000 goal.

Simply donate through IHC's Idaho Gives page today and your gift may be doubled. Here's just one example of how your support makes a difference...

This week, we received the following thank you note from a teacher who brought their students to our special assembly with bestselling author David Grann and 700 area high school students at Idaho State University prior to our 15th Annual Eastern Idaho Distinguished Lecture that evening...

"Thank you for the opportunity my students enjoyed with David Grann. Eastern Idaho students have not had such an opportunity in a while. THANK YOU! The bus trip and the auditorium seating was more than many of them have experienced before. Please keep thinking about our students in the I.F area - we need you!"

Quite simply, we need individual gifts like yours to continue to bring humanities programming like this to Idaho. Your support plays a key role in our ability to be able to offer programming for free or little cost to our partners and audiences across the state. IHC receives no funding from the State of Idaho, and iyour contributions give us the flexibility we need to innovate, experiment with new ideas, and connect with our communities.

We hope you'll consider supporting Idaho Humanities Council for Idaho Gives this year! https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/idaho-humanities-council-24c66a22-5720-4951-9d98-284db07bdbb5

On Monday, April 29th, Idaho Humanities Council was pleased to recognize the winner of our 2024 Outstanding Humanities Educator Award for grades 6-8, Mr. Raul Pedraza from Vallivue Middle School.

As part of the awards ceremony, IHC staff visited Mr. Pedraza’s classroom and participated in a Holocaust Remembrance ceremony with his students. We were moved by the poetry, music, and art that students created to remember those who died during the Holocaust. Mr. Pedraza’s passion and energy for his students is inspiring to behold.

Named Vallivue Teacher of the Year in 2023, Pedraza believes that a history curriculum is made up of many great stories. Pedraza helps Latine students connect with their cultural heritage by emphasizing the ancient Mesoamerican cultures and drawing parallels to his some of his other favorite stories including George Washington’s crossing of the Delaware to the great Renaissance thinkers such as Shakespeare and Leonardo da Vinci. Pedraza highlights stories connected to the Incas that engineered Machu Piccu in Peru, the Mayas and the invention of the number zero, and the Aztecs, which allows students to make a personal/cultural connection with history while making connections with others in the room.

Three K-12 teachers have received 2024 Outstanding Humanities Educator Awards in honor of their contributions to humanities education in the State of Idaho by the IHC. Revived this year after a decade-long hiatus, the Outstanding Humanities Educator Award is given annually by the organization to recognize excellence in the field throughout the Gem State.

IHC solicited public nominations for three different categories based on grade levels taught (K-5th, 6-8th, 9-12th). Each winner receives a $1,500 cash award in recognition of their achievements. Winners will be honored at ceremonies hosted by their schools in the months of April and May.

We’ll be highlighting our other two winners after their ceremonies. For more information about the Outstanding Humanities Educator award and all three winners, visit our website. https://idahohumanities.org/about/educatoraward/

Congratulations Mr. Pedraza!

At the Idaho Humanities Council, one of our four guiding principles is that the humanities should be open, accessible, and welcoming to all Idahoans. During Idaho Gives, it gives us a chance to highlight our role as an independent 501(c)3 nonprofit that achieves this with humanities programming co-created by the communities we serve. This takes the form of the grants we give out to other organizations, projects you experience at local museums and cultural centers, presentations and talks with national and local authors, and much more.

The IHC is dedicated to serving Idaho citizens by promoting greater public awareness, appreciation, and understanding of the humanities. We all have many questions about where we’re headed, and we are dedicated to creating opportunities for the kinds of conversations and ideas that will shape our future.

If you believe in the power in the humanities and want to see them thrive here in Idaho, your contribution during Idaho Gives will be leveraged many times over. Contributions help ensure that we’re able to bring quality programming from the Panhandle to the Snake River Plain.

We hope you’ll help us meet our fundraising goal of $10,000 from April 29-May 2nd! All contributions are deeply appreciated and will be leveraged many times over through our partnership with the National Endowment for the Humanities. https://www.idahogives.org/organizations/idaho-humanities-council-24c66a22-5720-4951-9d98-284db07bdbb5

https://www.postregister.com/news/local/museum-of-idaho-receives-sister-alfreda-award-announces-commission-of-new-mural/article_94ff5bcc-0417-11ef-8e79-9fb17cdb0ae4.html Congratulations to Museum of Idaho, this year’s recipient of the Sister Alfreda Award! Read more about the new mural coming soon to Idaho Falls.

Museum of Idaho receives Sister Alfreda award, announces commission of new mural A new mural will soon be created in Idaho Falls, commissioned by the Museum of Idaho after being awarded the Sister Alfreda award Friday afternoon.

On April 18th, bestselling author David Grann visited Fort Hall and Pocatello for the 15th Annual Eastern Idaho Distinguished Humanities Lecture. IHC welcomed a record audience of 675 people to the evening’s program with Grann, renowned journalist Mark Trahant, and moderator Randy’ L Teton. Grann presented on his process and research behind “Killers of the Flower Moon,” a book that was sparked by one historical photo and a history of the Osage Tribe that had been hidden from the public conscience for many years. The book, later adapted into an Academy Award-winning film directed by Martin Scorsese, consumed Grann’s time for six years as he gathered information from descendants of those impacted by the Osage Murders as well as poring through historical records.

Following the presentation by Grann, he joined journalist Mark Trahant and new author and moderator Randy'L Teton for an in depth panel discussion and Q and A from the audience. In the words of Randy’ L Teton, topics “included racial injustice, corruption, exploitation, American entitlement, and resiliency. Moderating these topics is emotional but much needed to address and educate the public of Native American history - past and current. I am proud of our resilience.”

We are grateful to our sponsors Fort Hall Business Council, Maeck Family Foundation, Teton Toyota/Volkswagen, College of Eastern Idaho, Idaho State University, University of Idaho: Idaho Falls, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Idaho, and Idaho Environmental Coalition for making this event possible. These lectures would not be possible without their generous support.

Many thanks also go out to our media sponsors Idaho Public Television, KISU, East Idaho News, and Post Register. We are also very grateful for the team at Winnie & Mo's Bookshop for connecting people with new copies of Grann's work at the event. Many thanks also go out to the team at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel for their amazing work.

The packed house demonstrated a deep love of learning and support for the humanities and we were so thrilled to connect with those who attended last week.

We will have a few more photos and thank yous throughout the week, including for the special high school assembly with David Grann and area students.

What a tremendous night! Many thanks to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes and Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel and all of our partners and sponsors for making last night possible. We’ll have more to share soon about our 15th Annual Eastern Idaho Distinguished Lecture with David 15th Annual Eastern Idaho Distinguished Humanities Lecture With Author David Grann, and it was wonderful to see those of you who joined us in Fort Hall last night. Many thanks to Sho-Ban News for the coverage and photography.

We’re here with bestselling author David Grann this morning at a special assembly for just over 700 Eastern Idaho high school students at Idaho State University. Grann is speaking about his career as an author, the themes in his work, and the importance of uncovering the truth in our personal and shared stories. Students will have the opportunity for some Q and A with the author.

We’re anticipating a record crowd for tonight’s talk with David Grann, Mark Trahant, and Randy’ L Teton at the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel. Tickets are still available at www.idahohumanities.org or we’ll see you at the door for the 15th Annual Eastern Idaho Distinguished Lecture!

IHC is honored to present our 15th Annual Eastern Idaho Distinguished Lecture in Fort Hall, and there's still time to join us if you haven't lined up your ticket yet. This year, IHC welcomes bestselling author David Grann, award-winning journalist Mark Trahant, and new author Randy'L Teton to the Shoshone-Bannock Casino Hotel to discuss Grann's book "Killers of the Flower Moon."

On April 18th, join us for in-depth discussion, Q and A, and a book signing with the author following the main program. Doors open at 6 p.m., with the main program at 7 p.m. Our program will begin with performances from Ghost Canyon and the ShoBan Dance Troupe.

A selection of book titles from David Grann will be available for purchase at the event courtesy of Winnie and Mo's Bookshop.

Tickets are offered on a sliding scale ranging from $5 to $75. Members of federally recognized tribes and students are free.

More information and tickets are available here, and we'll see you soon! https://www.idahohumanities.org/easternidaho/