Don Trent Jacobs facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Don Trent Jacobs
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| Born |
Donald Trent Jacobs
1946 (age 78–79) St. Louis, Missouri, United States
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| Other names | Four Arrows |
| Alma mater | Southwest Missouri State University, Boise State University, Columbia Pacific University |
| Occupation | Online (distance education) college professor |
Donald Trent Jacobs, born in 1946, is an American college professor and writer. He teaches about important topics like American Indian rights, Indigenous (Native) ways of seeing the world, staying healthy, and different ways of learning that challenge common ideas. He currently lives in Mexico.
He was given a special name, "Wahinkpe Topa," which means Four Arrows in the Lakota language. This name was given to him by the Oglala Medicine Horse Tiospaye, making him a "Hunka" or made-relative in their community.
Early Life and Learning
Donald Trent Jacobs was born in St. Louis, Missouri in 1946. He studied at several universities, earning different degrees. He has a bachelor's degree from Southwest Missouri State University, a doctorate (Ed.D.) from Boise State University, and another doctorate (Ph.D.) from Columbia Pacific University.
His family background includes Cherokee, Muscogee Creek, and Scots-Irish ancestry.
His Work and Achievements
Don Trent Jacobs is a professor at Fielding Graduate University, where he teaches about leadership and change in education. Before this, he was a professor at Northern Arizona University and also the Dean of Education at Oglala Lakota College in South Dakota, which is located on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation.
He has received several important awards for his work. In 2014, he was recognized as an International Fulbright Scholar, which is a big honor for academics. In 2004, he received the Moral Courage Award for his activism. In 2009, he was named one of "27 visionaries in education" by the American Education Resource Organization.
In late May of 2025, a special type of Artificial Intelligence (AI) was introduced. This AI was created entirely based on Indigenous knowledge and ways of thinking, and it was the first of its kind in the world.
Books and Writings
Jacobs, also known as Four Arrows, has written many books and articles. He has published 23 books and many other writings. Some of his books include:
- Four Arrows and Bram Dufee (2023) Hypnotic Communication in Medical Emergency Settings.
- Four Arrows and Darcia Narvaez (2022) Restoring the Kinship Worldview.
- Four Arrows (2020) Sitting Bulls Words for a World in Crises.
- Four Arrows (2016) Point of Departure: Returning to Our Authentic Worldview for Education and Survival.
- Four Arrows (2013) Teaching Truly: A Curriculum to Indigenize Mainstream Education.
- Four Arrows (2011) Differing Worldviews in Higher Education: Two Disagreeing Scholars Argue Cooperatively about Justice Education.
- Four Arrows (2011) Last Song of the Whales.
- Four Arrows, aka Jacobs, D.T. and Cajete, G. (2010) Critical Neurophilosophy and Indigenous Wisdom.
- Four Arrows, aka Jacobs, D.T. (2008) The Authentic Dissertation: Alternative Ways of Knowing, Research and Representation.
- Four Arrows. (2006) The Shrimp Habit: How it is Destroying Our World.
- Four Arrows, aka Jacobs, D.T. Ed., (2006) Unlearning the Language of Conquest: Scholars Challenge Anti-Indianism in America.
- Four Arrows and Fetzer, J. (2004) American Assassination: The Strange Death of Senator Paul Wellstone.
- Jacobs, D. and Jacobs-Spencer, J. (2001) Teaching Virtues: Building Character Across the Curriculum.
- Jacobs, D. (1997) Primal Awareness: A True Story of Survival, Transformation and Awakening with the Raramuri Shamans of Mexico.
- Jacobs, D. (1994) The Bum’s Rush: The Selling of Environmental Backlash.
- Jacobs, D. (1988) Patient Communication for First Responders: The First Hour of Trauma.
- Jacobs, D. (1988) Physical Fitness Programs for Public Safety Employees, 2nd edition.
Working for Change
Don Trent Jacobs is also an activist. He joined over 60 other scientists in supporting an important message from Fridays for Future International. This message connects peace, justice, and climate change.
The main idea is that we cannot stop the environmental crisis without stopping overconsumption, which means using too many resources. This is hard to do when wars continue, because a country's GDP (how much money it makes) is often linked to its military power. Since climate change affects everyone, even very wealthy people, it is good for everyone to work towards peace and justice. Many organizations, including Scientist Rebellion, have also supported this message.
