The Institute’s Oral History Project is a priority initiative that requires immediate action. Now is the time to capture the personal memories, stories, and insights of those who knew or met Seton to help preserve Seton’s legacy and record his influence in today’s world.
His work led to the founding of Scouting, a better understanding of North American Indigenous cultures, and love and deep respect for our planet and environment.
We know that Seton influenced today’s leaders in nature conservation, such as Sir David Attenborough and Dame Jane Goodall. He also influenced:
- Nature conservation – Theodore Roosevelt, Roger Tory Peterson
- Youth education: Lord Robert Baden Powell, Daniel Carter Beard
- Artists: Pete Seeger, Robert Henri
- Writers: John Burroughs, Rudyard Kipling
- First Peoples: Juan Gonzales (Medicine Man, San Ildefanso) and Chief Luther Standing Bear (Oglala)
To date, we have collected 14 interviews and are working diligently to get them edited and published. Three are currently available on our YouTube channel:
- Clemency Coggins, Professor Emeritus – ETS’s granddaughter https://youtu.be/2KQ46S0zH9s
- Chris Brackley – ETS’s great-grandnephew https://youtu.be/Cmh4bVjgcFk
- Linda M. Davis – Rancher whose grandfather worked with ETS in 1893-1894 https://youtu.be/jHdvLZMIBW0
How can you help with this project?
Volunteer – We are seeking volunteers who can:
- Learn how to conduct an oral history interview and assist by conducting interviews.
- Transcribe oral histories and prepare them for publication for publication.
Support – Funding for this project is needed for maintaining technology tools and supporting expertise in audio and video production.
