Dr. Herkshan hopes to give back to community as CTEA Shoshoni language coordinator
Dr. Laticia Herkshan, new Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy
Shoshoni program coordinator
By LORI ANN EDMO
Sho-Ban News
FORT HALL — It’s always been Dr. Laticia Herkshan’s goal to work in the community to use her education and experience to give back to help build up what is here.
She is the Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy Shoshoni program coordinator. “This work, directly with our youth, language, and culture is so meaningful and important. These young ones learning through our languages and cultures are our future. I have found this work so inspiring and I’m grateful to be part of this school and community.”
She’s enjoying her new job, “It is a huge difference from my previous position in higher education.” She loved that work too, she said and is still passionate about it. It’s her first full-time experience in an elementary setting.
Previously, she worked with several different grant programs to facilitate field experiences for CTEA, including visits to culturally significant landscapes such as Yellowstone National Park, Craters of the Moon, Soda Springs, etc.
“My educational background is in Political Science, Public Administration, and Anthropology. I have extensive experience in working toward balancing Western education/academics and Native ways of knowing and being and look forward to bringing that experience to this role,” she explained in a Chief Tahgee social media post.
As the Shoshoni program coordinator, she will be working with the lead Shoshoni teachers to develop, organize and implement language and culture curriculum. “While I am still a novice language speaker and forever language learner, I believe it is each of our responsibility at the school to teach through the language and culture. I’m excited to learn and teach more,” Dr. Herkshan said. “I will also be working with the whole school team toward culturally relevant and sustaining curriculum. Additionally, I’m excited to get to do outreach work with Sho-Ban school, SBT Language and Culture, and other Tribal departments and community members to continue on the good work being done to build up our school.”
She said with the new school building opening in the new year, there are many opportunities for new beginnings, projects and ideas based in the Shoshoni and Bannock languages and cultures. “We’re all very excited!”
Outside of work, she loves spending time with her family and friends, being outside, traveling, and playing sports. Her favorite colors are purple and green. She loves pizza and iced chai lattes.
“I am so excited to get to know our students, their families, and our community. If you have any questions, ideas, or want to visit, my door is always open, and I look forward to connecting with you!” she said.
