Inaugural Indigenous Research Forum is Huge Success

On Monday, April 1, 2024 over 150 individuals gathered at the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery Building or joined virtually for the University of Wisconsin-Madison Indigenous Research Forum. The forum brought together diverse groups from across campus, and the country, interested in or actively engaged in Indigenous research.

Co-hosted by CALS, the UW Law School, the Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, and Extension, the event united researchers and community members from UW and beyond to exchange insights and experiences in Indigenous research. The Center for Integrated Agricultural Systems (CIAS) as well as representatives of the Rural Partnerships Institute played pivotal roles in organizing and presenting the forum.

The day began with welcoming remarks from Dan Cornelius (Oneida), the Outreach Program Manager for the Indigenous Law Center, CALS Dean Glenda Gillaspy, and Director of Tribal Relations, Carla Vigue (Oneida). Ho-Chunk President Jon Greendeer set the tone for the conversations to follow, and then guests were treated to a song performed by a student-led drum group, the Twin Tails Singers.

The morning sessions featured lightning talks and panel discussions focusing on indigenous research methodologies.

Dr. Rebecca Webster (Oneida), Director of Graduate Studies and Associate Professor at University of Minnesota-Duluth, shared the community-engaged research being done on the Oneida Reservation and highlighted the differences between university and Tribal research.

Dr. Valarie Blue Bird Jernigan (Choctaw), of the Oklahoma State Center for Indigenous Health Research and Policy, explored Indigenous research principles and practice such as that involved in the Chickasaw Nation, “Osapa Tunowa”, traveling garden mobile market.

One of the two researchers affiliated with CALS, Dr. Lauren W. Yowelunh McLester-Davis (Oneida), a scientist working across biochemistry and the School of Medicine and Public Health, shared her thoughts on Indigenous research, addressing themes of colonization, decolonization, and indigenization within the scientific realm.

Dr. Sterling Martin (Diné/Navajo) presented Project ENABLE: an online resource for Enriching Navajo as a Biology Language for Education. A collaborative effort with Dr. Joanna Bundus (formerly UW-Madison), and Dr. Susana Wadgymar, this Diné-English biology dictionary will help the preservation and continued use of Diné Bizaad and facilitate the integration of traditional knowledge with current scientific thought and practice.

Dr. Carma Corcoran (Chippewa-Cree) followed with a discussion framing Gentle Action Theory as a method for addressing the lack of voice for Indigenous students and researchers in institutions of higher education before sitting on a panel moderated by Dr. Yowelunh McLester-Daivs with the aforementioned speakers to answer questions about doing Indigenous research.

Following a poster session and lunch, the afternoon sessions delved into Indigenous food systems and research in the Great Lakes region.

Dr. Troy Wiipongwii (Chickahominy), Director of Innovation and Entrepeneurship in Conservation at the Institute for Integrative Conservation, William & Mary, shared how they are using of technology to create a database for local Indigenous food systems, complete with nutrient profiles, growing conditions, harvest periods, agricultural layout simulation models, and chef and AI-generated recipes.

Additionally, Daniel Hayden (Comanche), a doctoral student in plant pathology co-advised by Richard Lankau and CIAS Director Erin Silva, shared insights from his research on interseeding cover crops with white corn.

Hinu Smith (Ho-Chunk) Executive Director for the Ho-Chunk Nation Department of Agriculture moderated the second panel of the day consisting of the above two plus Ohe·láku cofounders Laura Manthe (Oneida) and Lea Zeise (Oneida), a UW-Madison graduate. Ohe·láku is a non-profit cooperative consisting of 20 Oneida families growing Tuscarora white corn on the Oneida Reservation near Green Bay, WI.

The afternoon continued with presentations by Dr. Bill Gartner, a Lecturer and Principal Investigator in the Department of Geography at UW-Madison, on their work with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin to study the history of ancestral Menominee-raised field agricultural systems and land use.

Dr. Martin Reinhart (Sault Ste. Marie Chippewa), Professor of Native American Studies at Northern Michigan University, shared his work on multiple projects centering Indigenous foods in the Great Lakes Region.

Another UW-Madison doctoral student and the Indigenous Arts & Sciences Outreach Coordinator for the Earth Partnership program, Sarah Gordon Altiman (Red Cliff), presented her research which focuses on deepening Indigneous STEM and the process of incorporating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into the school curriculum of Tribal communities.

Lastly, Rebecca Edler (Menominee), the Sustainability Coordinator at the Sustainable Development Institute at the College of Menominee Nation, shared her experience working with the Institute that leads research at the College.

To close out the forum, three-time James Beard Award winner Sean Sherman (Lakota), of The Sioux Chef, the non-profit NĀTIFS (North American Traditional Indigenous Food Systems), and Owamni, sped through an over 100-slide PowerPoint presentation detailing the work being done by these organizations to spread both the awareness and benefits of Indigenous cuisine.

Throughout the day, attendees enjoyed Indigenous culinary delights such as blueberry corn mush with honey and walnuts for breakfast and wild rice for lunch. The forum concluded with a Taste of the Tribes reception, featuring celebrated chefs showcasing their creations.

– Loretta Barrett Oden (Potawatomi), Seasoned With Spirit: A Native Cook’s Journey and Corn Dance: Inspired First American Cuisine: sweet corn and butternut pudding with vanilla bean-coriander dessert oil