• 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.
  • 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.
  • A Shared Future The American Buffalo, a new documentary by filmmaker Ken Burns, argues that bison and Native Americans share a common history. Today, tribes are working to heal their communities by rebuilding herds.

Field Notes

  • Building Climate Resilience By sharing information and working together, tribes can learn to thrive in a hotter, more arid world, according to speakers and participants at the recently concluded Southwest Adaptation Forum.
  • Three TCUs Receive Their First Significant NSF-TCUP Awards Bay Mills Community College, Red Lake Nation College and White Earth Tribal and Community College will use funding from the National Science Foundation’s Tribal Colleges and Universities Program to add new courses and build new degree programs.
  • A Bumpy Road for Electric Vehicles Extreme weather, long driving distances and a shortage of charging stations can discourage use of electric vehicles on many reservations. Speakers at a recent Tribal Clean Transportation Program roundtable discussed solutions.

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

  • 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