ISU History Alumna Publishes Award-Winning Article on Fur Trade History

ISU alumna Maya Peters-Greño transformed a class paper into an award-winning publication.

Idaho State University alumna and former McNair scholar, Maya Peters-Greño recently published an article, “Beaver Hats: Material Culture in the Americas,” in the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Journal. The article, which grew out of research Peters-Greño began as an ISU undergraduate History major, earned her an award from the Museum of the Mountain Man in Pinedale, Wyoming.

“This award is tied to publishing a peer-reviewed article in the journal,” said Marie Stango, Ph,D, Associate Professor of History at ISU. “It is really unusual for a student in history to publish an article at this stage, so it highlights how amazing Maya's work is.”

Peters-Greño had the opportunity to present her research at the Rocky Mountain Fur Trade Journal Conference, held annually during the Pinedale Rendezvous at the Museum of the Mountain Man. Reflecting on the experience, Maya said, “Everyone was incredibly supportive and excited about my contribution.”

Maya described the conference as an unforgettable experience, noting the presence of mountain men from the American Mountain Men Association, complete with live demonstrations like a beaver being skinned by an actual trapper and beaver hats on display everywhere.

Maya, who graduated from ISU with a BA in History and the Outstanding Student in the Social and Behavioral Sciences award, recently completed her MA in History at the University of Georgia.