Indige-FEWSS Seminar Library
Native Voices in STEM
and Professional Seminar recordings
Environmental Justice
Tommy Rock // Diné
April 11, 2022
Tommy Rock is a member of the Navajo Nation from Monument Valley, Utah, and currently is the first person in his family to ern a a doctoral degree. He earned a Bachelor's degree from Arizona State University in Environmental Geography and Recreational Management in 2002 and received his Master’s degree from Northern Arizona University in 2008. Tommy was funded under the National Institute of Environmental Health Supplement Grant. He worked at Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency- Public Water Systems Supervision Program before returning to Northern Arizona University to receive his Ph.D. in Earth Science and Environmental Sustainability in December of 2017. Tommy is a post-doctoral research associate in the department of Geosciences studying in the Higgins Laboratory at Princeton University.
International water rights and environmental justice
Janene Yazzie // Diné
March 21, 2022
Janene is a Diné entrepreneur, community organizer and human rights advocate from the Navajo Nation. She works on climate change, water security, food security, energy development, and nation building with indigenous communities. She is program manager of Sustainable Community Development with the International Indian Treaty Council (IITC). She also represents IITC as the co-convener of the Indigenous Peoples Major Group (IPMG) to the United Nations High Level Political Forum on the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Co- founder of Sixth World Solutions LLP., and co-founder of the Navajo Nation Little Colorado River Watershed Chapters Association (LCRWCA), she has built expertise in infrastructure policy, integrated land and water management, and restoration and protection of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). Janene Yazzie is a community organizer and human rights advocate that has worked on development and energy issues with Indigenous communities across the United States for over 12 years.
Wastewater based epidemiology in Tribal Communities
Dr. Otakuye Conroy Ben // Oglala Lakota
March 14, 2022
Dr. Otakuye Conroy-Ben is an Assistant Professor in the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Build Environment at Arizona State University. Conroy-Ben received a BS in Chemistry from the University of Notre Dame, an MA in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Arizona, and a PhD in Environmental Engineering from the University of Arizona. Her research focuses on the biological effects of polluted water. Her research interests include environmental endocrine disruption, metal and antibiotic resistance in bacteria, and wastewater epidemiology.
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Mining and wildfire driven changes alter metals mobilization: Restorative and mechanistic insights
Dr. Cherie DeVore // Diné
February 14, 2022
Dr. Cherie De Vore, Diné, is from Tsinyaanalk’id near Crownpoint, NM in eastern Navajo Nation. Her clans are Red Bottom People, Atop the Mountain Towering House, Salt People and Tangle People. She is currently a postdoctoral scholar in Earth System Science at Stanford University. She received her Ph.D. in civil & environmental engineering at the University of New Mexico under the mentorship of Professor Jose Cerrato. Cherie was awarded an NSF Earth Science Postdoctoral Fellowship to conduct research under the guidance of Professor Scott Fendorf. Her current research is related to better understanding biogeochemical mechanisms affecting the mobilization and bioavailability of metals in soils and plants near Indigenous communities.
Utilizing Diné Science and Innovation to Tackle Long-Standing Water Challenges in Diné Communities
Dr. Ranalda Tsosie // Diné
January 24, 2022
Dr. Ranalda Tsosie (Diné) is a post-doctoral scholar at Montana State University in Bozeman, MT. She is currently working on a point of use filter optimization project and continuing to work with Indigenous communities and water challenges. Dr. Tsosie completed Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies with a subject emphasis in the fields of Chemistry, Geosciences and Environmental Science/Studies from the University of Montana. Her graduate research brought together Diné and western scientific perspectives to address water contamination in her home community of Tółikan, AZ and the surrounding communities. She has experience working within Indigenous communities, implementing and practicing Indigenous Research Methodologies. In her free time, she enjoys beading, sewing, practicing traditional Diné arts and baking.
Amplifying Indigenous Voices in Invasive Species and Forest Adaptation Management
Danielle Ignace // Coeur d'Alene
November 15, 2021
Dr. Danielle Ignace is an enrolled member of the Coeur d’Alene tribe, an ecophysiologist, and science communication, enthusiast. She recently started a new faculty position in the Department of Forest and Conservation Sciences at the University of British Columbia. Prior to this position, she was an Assistant Professor of Biological Sciences and the Environmental Science & Policy Program at Smith College for several years and then became a Research Associate at Harvard Forest while serving as Associate Editor for the journal, Elementa: Science of the Anthropocene. From desert systems to temperate forests, she studies how climate change, landscape disturbance, and invasions impact ecosystem function and communities of color. Dr. Ignace was recently selected as a Science for Social Equity Fellow (funded by fair Count) to create community-driven solutions to climate change and pollution in Houston. Always seeking new ways to be an advocate for underrepresented groups in STEM, she joined the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee for the American Society of Plant Biology. Fostering distinctive collaborations with faculty and students to understand and communicate pressing global change problems is the hallmark of her research, teaching, YouTube channel, podcast, and ArtSci projects. As an indigenous woman in STEM, Dr. Ignace is deeply committed to developing an Indigenous curriculum.
Soil Science in First Nations Land Management
Melissa Arcand // Muskeg Lake Cree
October 18, 2021
Melissa Arcand is a soil biogeochemist with research interests focused on optimizing plant-soil synergies for the design of nutrient and energy-efficient cropping systems. She received her Ph.D. in Soil Science from the University of Saskatchewan and conducted her post-doctoral research with Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. Melissa grew up on a farm on the Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in central Saskatchewan. She teaches and is the academic advisor for students in the Kanawayihetaytan Askiy program, designed to train students to work in resource management and land governance in Indigenous communities across Canada.
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Native STEM Education: Native Science and Natural Laws of Interdependence
Gregory Cajete // Tewa
September 13, 2021
Dr. Gregory Cajete's work is dedicated to honoring the foundations of Indigenous knowledge in education. He is a Tewa Indian from Santa Clara Pueblo, New Mexico. Dr. Cajete is also a scholar of herbalism and holistic health. He also designs culturally-responsive curricula geared to the special needs and learning styles of Native American students. He worked at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico for 21 years. While at the Institute, he served as Dean of the Center for Research and Cultural Exchange, Chair of Native American Studies and Professor of Ethno-Science. He is the former Director of Native American Studies (18 years) and is Professor Emeritus in the Division of Language, Literacy, and Socio-Cultural Studies in the College of Education at the University of New Mexico.
Hopi Farming, Food Sovereignty and Indigenous STEM Education
Michael Kotutwa Johnson // Hopi
April 21, 2021
Michael Kotutwa Johnson, PhD, a member of the Hopi Tribe in Northern Arizona, serves as NAAF’s Research Associate. As a traditional Hopi farmer and practitioner, Dr. Johnson has given extensive lectures throughout his professional career on the topic of Hopi dryland farming, a practice of his people for over two millennia. Some of Dr. Johnson’s previous work experience involved agriculture and land related issues at First Nations Development Institute (FNDI) and the Indian Land Tenure Foundation (ITLF). He holds a Master of Public Policy degree from Pepperdine University and Ph.D. in Natural Resources from the University of Arizona where he was an Alford P. Sloan Foundation scholar and American Indian Graduate Center STEM awardee. Dr. Johnson was a Natural Resource District Conservationist assigned to the Hopi Reservation for the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).
Indigenous and Interdisciplinary STEM Education
Daniel Wildcat // Yuchi Member of the Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma
March 17, 2021
Daniel R. Wildcat, PhD, is a professor at Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas, where he has been teaching for over 30 years. Dr. Wildcat is an accomplished scholar who write on indigenous knowledge, technology, environment, and education. He is also co-director of the Haskell Environmental Research Studies Center, which he founded with colleagues from the Center for Hazardous Substance Research at Kansas State University. Dr. Wildcat is the co-author with Vine Deloria, Jr. of “Powers and Places: Indian Education in America (published by Fulcrum, 2001), and co-editor with Steve Pavilik of “Destroying Dogmas: Vine Deloria, Jr., and his influence on American Society” (published by Fulcrum, 2006). Known for his commitment to environmental defense and cultural diversity, Dr. Wildcat has been honored with the Heart Peace Award by the Kansas City-based organization The Future Is Now.
Tohono O'odham Climate Adaptation and Water Resources
Selso Villegas // Tohono O'odham
February 17, 2021
Dr. Selso Villegas (Tohono O'odham) serves as the Executive Director of the Tohono O'odham Department of Water Resources. His leadership and passion have been instrumental in developing a climate change adaptation plan for the Nation. Dr. Villegas, along with researchers from the IE and several graduate students, crafted a plan to address how climate change is likely to affect the Nation and which strategies could be used most effectively to reduce the negative impacts. The plan was approved by the Tohono O’odham Legislative Council in 2018, allowing for implementation by departments and agencies. Read Dr. Villegas' dissertation: Dynamics of Selenium in Cibola Lake, Arizona
DigDeep Navajo Water Project: Long Term + Relief Projects
Emma Robbins // Diné
January 20, 2021
Emma Robbins is a Diné artist, activist, and environmentalist with a passion for empowering Indigenous women. As Director of the Navajo Water Project, part of the DigDeep Right to Water Project, she is working to create infrastructure that brings clean running water to the one in three Navajo families without it. Through her artwork, she strives to raise awareness about the lack of clean water in Native American nations. Robbins is also a 2020 Aspen Institute Healthy Communities Fellow.
Navajo Ethno-Agriculture and Community Empowerment
Nonabah Lane // Navajo
December 2, 2020
Nonabah Lane is the co-founder of Navajo Ethno-Agriculture, a community non-profit she operates with her family to sustain Navajo culture by teaching traditional farming. Ms. Lane also co-founded Navajo Power, a public benefit corporation that develops utility scale clean energy projects on tribal lands.
Studying Those Who Study Us: Anthropologists, Geneticists, and Indigenous Peoples
Kim Tallbear // Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate
November 18, 2020
Watch the seminar View the presentation PDF
Rethinking Tribal Resource Governance in an Era of Climate Change
Dr. Andrew Curley // Diné
October 21, 2020
Dr. Andrew Curley is Assistant Professor in the School of Geography, Development & Environment at the University of Arizona. Contact Dr. Curley at acurley@arizona.edu
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Indigenous Ecosystem Stewardship
Dr. Joseph Brewer // Cherokee Nation & Oglala Lakota
September 16, 2020
Dr. Joseph Brewer is Associate Professor of Environmental Studies and the Director of the Indigenous Studies Program at the University of Kansas. He received his PhD in Arid Lands Resources Sciences from the University of Arizona, where he was a Sloan Scholar.
Working with Tribal Nations in Natural Resources & Climate Change
Dr. Casey Thornbrugh // Mashpee Wampanoag
April 28, 2020
Dr. Casey Thornbrugh (Mashpee Wampanoag) is the Tribal Climate Science Liaison for United South & Eastern Tribes, Inc., and Northeast/Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Centers.
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Trees, Water, & People
Mr. James Calabaza
March 4, 2020
Mr. James Calabaza is the National Program Coordinator for Trees Water & People. He spoke about the mission of empowering Native communities to move toward a renewable and cleaner world.
Engineering with Leadership in the Indian Health Service-SFC Program
Part of the Alumni Lunch Series
Dr. Peter Littlehat
February 21, 2020
Dr. Peter Littlehat is the District Engineer for the Indian Health Services Sanitation Facilities Construction program. His primary responsibility is to provide safe drinking water and sanitation facilities to Navajo homes.
Dr. Tommy Jones: Native Voices in STEM Seminar
Dr. Tommy Jones
February 5, 2020
Dr. Tommy Jones is an environmental engineer with the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Indian Energy Policy and Programs. His focus is on developing renewable energy projects on tribal lands.
Endocrine Disrupting Pollutants in Wastewater
Dr. Otakuye Conroy-Ben
February 5, 2020
Dr. Otakuye Conroy-Ben is Assistant Professor at the School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment at Arizona State University (ASU).
Outdoor Industry and the Food, Energy, Water Nexus
Len Necefer, PhD
September 3, 2019
Len Necefer, PhD, American Indian Studies and the Udall Center for Public Policy
Prioritization of potable water infrastructure investments on the Navajo Nation
Ronson Chee, PhD, PE
April 17, 2019
Ronson Chee, PhD, PE; Principle Water Resources Engineer, Riley Engineering
Conducting Business In Indian Country
Joan Timeche
March 13, 2019
Food-Energy-Water Challenges in a Solar and Wind Powered, Off-Grid School
Mark Sorenson
February 13, 2019
A Navajo Engineer’s Perspective on Walking in Beauty on an Ever-changing Path
Sandra Begay
January 16, 2019
Cultural Humility and Supporting Native Students
Dr. Iris PrettyPaint
February 17, 2021
Dr. Iris PrettyPaint (Blackfeet/Crow Nations) is a leading authority on Native student achievement and recognition; cultural resilience and health realization; Indigenous evaluation; community prevention; and community and family engagement with rural and urban American Indian/Alaska Native communities. She guided the development of the Family Education Model, which integrates family-centered strategies for evaluation, networking, cultural activities, counseling, life skills, and mentoring. Dr. PrettyPaint spoke to over 125 University of Arizona and Dine' College students, staff and faculty about engaging with Native American students from a place of cultural humility. View the presentation slides, connect to resources and read the glossary and bibliography of suggested readings. Dr. PrettyPaint supplied a Resiliency personal assessment tool.
This workshop was not recorded. If you have any questions, please contact Cara Duncan Shopa at caraduncan@arizona.edu
VIEW THE PRESENTATION PDF VIEW THE RESOURCES PDF VIEW THE RESILIENCY TOOL
Arizona Tribal Extension: Supporting Tribal Communities and Extension in Indian Country
Trent Teegerstrom
November 7, 2018
Indigenous Rights to Water and State Responsibility Under International Law
James Hopkins, PhD
October 10, 2018
Jim Hopkins, PhD, Associate Clinical Professor, Indigenous People's Law and Policy Program, Affiliated Professor of American Indian Studies & Latin American Studies
Nexus Thinking, Nexus Tools, Nexus Solutions: Origins and Prospects for Food-Energy-Water Systems
Christopher Scott, PhD
September 12, 2018
Christopher Scott, PhD, Udall Center for Studies in Public Policy; Professor – School of Geography & Development; University Distinguished Scholar