A West Virginia University doctoral student who experienced American Indian family dynamics first-hand will discuss his research Wednesday (Sept. 6) at WVU .

Joshua Masse will discussNative American Perspectives on Parentingat 5 p.m. in the Mountaineer Room of the Mountainlair student union. A reception will follow.

The appearance is part of theSycamore Circlelecture series, presented by WVU s Native American Studies Program, which explores all social and cultural aspects of American Indian life in the United States.

Masse attended several Iroquois pow-wows and got to talk with parents at those events about their philosophies and hopes as they raise their families in a country where their traditions and values are often at odds withAmericanculture.

It was an amazing experience on both an academic and personal level,Masse said.I gained a different perspective on parenting.

The WVU -affiliated Native American Behavioral Research Association and North American Iroquois Veterans Association sanctioned and sponsored the project.

Masse is a doctoral student in the Department of Psychology at WVU s Eberly College of Arts and Sciences, where Dr. Cheryl McNeil serves as his mentor. He holds a bachelors in psychology from Stonehill College and earned a masters in child psychology from WVU .

Most of his field research is in parent-child interaction.

Previous Sycamore Circle talks have been on the ancient mound builders in West Virginias Kanawha Valley and the works of American Indian writer Sherman Alexie.

For more information, contact Bonnie M. Brown, the Native American Studies program coordinator, at BonnieM.Brown@mail.wvu.edu or 304-293-4626.