Building a Stronger Nation With Soft Materials Navajo Technical University’s collaboration with Harvard in materials research and science education is allowing students to pursue research that addresses real-world needs of the Navajo Nation
Dakota in Dubai For Indigenous peoples, the United Nations might be the belly of the colonial beast, but that’s where decisions affecting the future of Native nations are being made. “If we are not at the table, we are on the menu,” argues Victor Carmen Lopez, who attended the COP28 climate conference.
A Nation of Scientists When a river flowing through the Navajo Nation turned toxic from the 2015 Gold King Mine spill, scientists turned to tribal members for help. The resulting Diné Exposure Project is now being studied as a model of community engaged research.
Building Confidence STEM students featured in a new Native Science Report video talk about overcoming barriers and setbacks
Making Research Relevant Students in Chief Dull Knife College’s Summer Research Internship build skills and confidence by learning how to monitor the health of local waterways. A new film, the result of a partnership with the University of Montana, documents the ongoing program.
Field Notes
“Extinct” Mexican Tribe Fights for Access to Sacred Mountain The Caxcan tribe of central Mexico is barred from carrying out traditional ceremonies on a mountain that the Mexican government now promotes as a tourist site. How tribal members are working to gain recognition and access to its ancestral land is explored in a new book.
Algal Blooms Threaten Traditional Shellfish Harvesting in Alaska Native Alaskans are at greater risk of deadly shellfish poisoning. In response, tribes are running their own testing program. A new study examines the outcomes.
Finding a Path to Clean Energy The recently held Workshop on Convergent Clean Energy Research explored opportunities and challenges faced by tribes working to develop renewable energy resources.
Berkeley Returns Land to California Tribe After a protracted legal battle, the city is returning a sacred site currently used as a parking lot to the Lisjan Ohlone
In the Gravy Native ranchers could profit from Americans’ insatiable appetite for beef
NSF Sets Higher Bar for Research Proposals Affecting Tribes The National Science Foundation will soon require researchers to gain prior approval from tribal governments for any proposal that “may impact tribal resources or interests”
Student Research
Native Science Report’s 2023-2024 Student Research Showcase is featuring the work of five undergraduate students from tribal and Native-serving colleges.
Voices
- Dakota in Dubai For Indigenous peoples, the United Nations might be the belly of the colonial beast, but that’s where decisions affecting the future of Native nations are being made. “If we are not at the table, we are on the menu,” argues Victor Carmen Lopez, who attended the COP28 climate conference.
Bridging Science and Tradition From running a Covid testing center to mentoring students analyzing the healing properties of traditional medicines, Dr. Irene A. Anyangwe, professor of biology and microbiology at Navajo Technical University, is finding ways to address the most pressing needs of the Navajo Nation.
Architects of Progress Cutting edge research is at the heart of Navajo Technical University’s Center for Advanced Manufacturing. “It’s not just about making parts,” says Director Scott Halliday