Promoting Indigenous Students’ Voices in the Research Mentor Process

Abstract:

In an educational setting, broadening diversity and participation in STEM is critical, but scientists and universities have not always been successful at facilitating this task. Indigenous students in the Native Environmental Science program at Northwest Indian College are scientists and leaders for both Indigenous and scientific communities. Many of them enter college with the goal of continuing on to graduate school in a STEM field and helping their tribe or communities in natural resource leadership roles. Classes at Northwest Indian College combine cultural knowledge and traditional scientific research, culminating in a community-focused capstone project. Much of this research is marine-based, as Northwest Indian College is located alongside the Salish Sea. Our students have the opportunity to participate in the Salish Sea Research Center’s undergraduate Research Education Experience and collaborate with researchers from institutions such as NOAA, NASA, and other mainstream universities. Research mentors at the Salish Sea Research Center work with students during the year to design and implement student- and community-driven research projects during the summer. As mentors, we work closely with the students to design and implement research projects, emphasizing the importance of inclusive and equitable narratives. Student projects align with community needs, including assessing impacts due to climate change and addressing food and data sovereignty issues. Tribal students, at this point well-versed in scientific research, can then provide a key voice to effectively communicate scientific findings to tribal communities. Our students at Northwest Indian College have been doing this through targeted outreach events focused on educating Coast Salish youth on scientific research related to climate impacts, as well as presenting at local and national conferences. The inclusion of Indigenous students’ voices allows for the translation of scientific research to be approachable to a wide variety of audiences, including members of tribal communities and educators at other types of institutions.