Scholars to present on Blackfoot World View and Blackfoot Influence on Abraham Maslow, Oct. 13, 14 at WWU

The Center for Cross-Cultural Research at Western Washington University is offering presentations by scholars Ryan Heavy Head and Narcisse Blood on the Blackfoot world view and its influence on psychologist Abraham Maslow. The presentations, which are free and open to the public, are:

• “Kaahsinnooniksi: If the land could speak”– Digital-Video Documentary, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 13 in the Academic Instructional Center West (AIC), Room 204.
• "'Naamitapiikoan' Missed-Place: Blackfoot influences on Abraham Maslow,” 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 14 in the Academic Instructional Center West, Room 204.

Ryan Heavy Head and Narcisse Blood will discuss both the Blackfoot world view and the influence it had on psychologist Abraham Maslow. “Naamitapiikoan” was the name given to Maslow during his six-week stay at Siksika (Blackfoot Reserve) in the summer of 1938. This visit completely changed his perspective on human motivation, resulting within a decade in the development of his hierarchy of needs, his notion of self-actualization, and his theories of organizational synergy. His knowledge gathered from Siksika has shaped the disciplines of psychology, education, business, and management as we know them today.

Ryan Heavy Head is director of Kainai studies at Red Crow Community College in Cardston, Alberta, Canada, Blackfoot-specific undergraduate program, and a researcher at the college, where he teaches and writes on the Blackfoot approach to science and knowledge. Narcisse Blood is the former director of Kainai studies at the college, and is currently a full-time researcher in the department. He is the principal on the Learning From Place project, part of the Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre, funded by the Canadian Council of Learning.

WWU co-sponsors for the event are: the Center for Education, Equity, and Diversity (CEED), Woodring College of Education, Department of Anthropology, Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies, and the WWU Ethnic Student Center.

No permit is required to park after 4:30 p.m. in the gravel lots 12A and the C lots south of the AIC building, near Fairhaven College of Interdisciplinary Studies. Parking meters require payment all hours

The Center for Cross-Cultural Research is part of the Psychology Department at Western.