Fall 08

Join our special guests, Drs. Rosalyn LaPier (Blackfeet Tribe of Montana/Métis) and David R.M. Beck to hear the fascinating stories of Native Americans living in Illinois in the early 20th century.

This presentation will explore how meaningful environmental progress necessitates the dismantling of extractive conservation paradigms and the integration of Indigenous knowledge systems grounded in land-based relationality and kinship.

Through the lens of the Rising Voices, Changing Coasts coastal research project, this lecture highlights how traditional ecological knowledge and modern scientific approaches work together to promote resilience, sustainability, and community-driven solutions among diverse Indigenous coastal communities.

The kinSTEM Conference is designed to provide a space for STEM communities to gather, reflect, and grow. Rather than define a single path, the goals remain open to interpretation, allowing participants to bring their own meanings, experiences, and questions into the space.

The traditional stereotype of the scientist in a white lab coat reinforces a narrow, homogeneous image that doesn't reflect the growing diversity within the scientific community. Students will customize lab coats by incorporating ribbon work, which is meant to amplify the enduring presence of scientists in Indigenous communities.

This program brings together scholars whose work centers on Indigenous perspectives and challenges the boundaries of conventional academic thought. Panelists will discuss how different fields have historically included or excluded Indigenous voices, and what it means to meaningfully engage with Indigenous knowledge in research, teaching, and community partnerships.

Dinner on Us is administered by the Native American House and is part of the Lunch on Us Series within SSIB. DOU is a biweekly, one-hour program featuring scholar- and practitioner-led workshops alongside a shared meal. Workshops explore a range of subjects and provide participants with opportunities to connect with peers and experts in a casual setting.

This noontime presentation will feature Yanaba Schroeder (Navajo; Major: Human Development & Family Studies), who will reflect on her experiences with revitalization of Navajo foodways and land stewardship.