Peigan man earns masters degree

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Joseph Yellowhorn, a staff member of the Peigan Health Department, has recently completed his requirements for a Master of Arts degree in teaching and counseling. The degree was awarded with honors, by Washington state's Gonzaga University.

Yellowhorn, who earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Lethbridge in 1994, wrote his graduate dissertation on the teaching of the Blackfoot language . Much of his data for the work came from a language skills and lifestyles course he taught on the Peigan Reserve last year.

Working with the Peigan Health Department, Yellowhorn has been putting together a health needs assessment and a literacy initiative program for the tribe. He said it was pretty tough, attending classes at Red Crow College, doing research, writing his dissertation, holding down a job and looking after a large family. "But I think it will be worthwhile. Education is so important . . . We have another graduation in the family too," he adds.

His wife, Barb Scott- Yellowhorn, will soon be finishing a Life Skills Coaching program.

The Yellowhorns have seven children, though only two still live at home.