Features

Indigenous Knowledge Goes to Washington

The Biden administration is pledging to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into federal policy making. Tribal leaders support the move, but say guidelines must be carefully written to protect ‘sacred and sensitive’ information.

In a climate many outsiders find inhospitable, Iḷisaġvik College science instructor Linda Nicholas-Figueroa, a transplant from the American South, has made the Arctic Circle her home. She was recently named an AAAS Fellow for her innovative approaches to teaching and place-based research.

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A “New Era” for Tribes

The 2021 White House Tribal Nations Summit—the first in five years—highlighted the Biden administration’s commitment to strengthening tribal self determination and supporting the development of Native communities. STEM issues were at the top of the agenda.

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Features

Keeping Watch

In a region scarred by coal mining, a new research center at Chief Dull Knife College is helping the Northern Cheyenne Reservation of Montana remain an environmental oasis.

Opening the Gate

Gatekeeping STEM courses are difficult. Who is to blame when Native students fail? We asked seven tribal college educators to share their perspectives.

Money Growing on Trees

Tribes were once criticized for failing to “develop” their land. Now their sustainably managed forests are generating income through the carbon market.

Healing Mental Health

Bringing more Native Americans into mental health professions.

When Science Wins

Fire as Medicine

Salish Kootenai College’s new graduate program in natural resources emphasizes fire ecology

Agriculture by Design

At the Institute of American Indian Arts, gardening is both an art and a science.

Diabetes on Tap

A partnership between the University of Arizona and Diné College is studying the connection between arsenic-contaminated drinking water and diabetes. It’s part of a larger effort to improve access to clean water for residents of the Navajo Nation.

Indigenous Knowledge Goes to Washington

The Biden administration is pledging to incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into federal policy making. Tribal leaders support the move, but say guidelines must be carefully written to protect ‘sacred and sensitive’ information.

Bringing a River Back to Life

As the desert southwest becomes hotter and drier, the Gila River Indian Community of Arizona is showing how it’s possible to both restore rivers and responsibly manage water used for agriculture and businesses.

Weaving Worldviews

A “New Era” for Tribes

The 2021 White House Tribal Nations Summit—the first in five years—highlighted the Biden administration’s commitment to strengthening tribal self determination and supporting the development of Native communities. STEM issues were at the top of the agenda.