Tyler Junior College (TJC) is offering its first Native American studies course this month, giving community members an opportunity to explore the history, cultures, and continuing traditions of Indigenous peoples in Texas. The free, four-week, non-credit course, taught by Dr. Marshall Purvis, a TJC professor and member of the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, began Sept. 8 and meets Tuesday afternoons throughout September at the TJC West campus on the Loop. According to TJC, the course, part of the college’s Life & Leisure offerings through Continuing Studies, filled quickly.
Those who attend all four sessions of the course will receive a certificate of completion. Dr. Purvis designed the course to provide participants with an opportunity to engage directly with the subject, rather than relying solely on lectures. He has incorporated artifacts, discussion, and guest speakers into the curriculum, with each week focusing on a different aspect of Native American history and culture in Texas.
The inaugural class, held on Sept. 8, examined early migrations and the Indigenous peoples who lived in Texas. This session included a presentation from Diana Parton of the Caddo Nation. The following class, on Sept. 15, focused on Plains cultures and the significant role of horses in Comanche and Apache history. Chief Moses Hernandez, chief of the Apache Council of Texas, spoke to the class during this session.
Upcoming classes in September are set to examine various Native American traditions and customs, including traditional hide tanning, before concluding with a look at modern tribes and efforts toward cultural preservation. The final class will feature Lyndon Alec, a Native American hoop dancer from the Alabama-Coushatta Tribe.
Dr. Purvis noted the importance of the course for the local community. "For our community, it’s a big deal because around this area, we don’t have as much Native American culture, but I can feel that it’s starting to grow more," Purvis said. "People are interested in it." He expressed hope that the course would become a regular offering. "I hope it becomes a staple," Purvis stated, further hoping it would be offered "every semester" and continue from this point forward.
The introduction of this course coincides with TJC’s centennial year, as the college celebrates its 100th anniversary. However, Dr. Purvis clarified that the idea for the course had been in development prior to this year’s milestone. He said, "It was a great time to bring it in." Purvis also shared his aspiration for the future of Native American studies at TJC, hoping it eventually becomes an accredited course that is regularly offered.
Dr. Purvis brings a strong academic background to the course, having earned his master’s degree while studying Native American history at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. He later earned a Ph.D. in leadership from Louisiana Baptist University. His expertise also extends to his published work, including the 2021 book ‘Tribes of Tejas.’ Through his 'Tribes of Tejas' group, Dr. Purvis has cultivated a community of individuals interested in Texas tribal history and culture. The success of the initial course suggests a continued demand for such educational opportunities in East Texas.
