#16 - Indigenous Scholars: Making Our Education Work for Tribal Communities - Guest: Lydia Jennings

Tribal Research Specialist: The Podcast

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In the episode, the IRC team speaks with Lydia Jennings (Pascua Yaqui and Huichol). Lydia is doctoral candidate in the Department of Environmental Sciences, with a minor in American Indian Policy at the University of Arizona (UA). Her research interests are in environmental remediation, Indigenous science, mining policy, and environmental data ownership by tribal nations.

Lydia’s dissertation research focuses on the identification and characterization of microbial indicators as tools to evaluate mine waste reclamation, while her minor research focuses on the laws around mining on federal lands to which tribes have ancestral claims. Lydia’s research with the UA's Native Nations Institute is focused on how scientists and researchers can empower Indigenous data governance practices to create more equitable science practices.

The episode begins with Sophie Moise (Salish) and Mary Kiser (Salish) singing a Snyulmn that was sung as the women prepare for the Syulm. The Syulm takes place to remark victory in battle. The women prepared themselves in three teepees of the camp where the men helped them. The women will dress themselves in the war shirts and headdresses of their husbands, uncles, or sons.
Lydia and the IRC Team continue by discussing the challenges that Indigenous scholars face navigating Western education and how we can put our education to use in our Tribal communities that is purposeful and makes sense in our worldview. The IRC team asks the question: What is the pathway to knowledge that facilitates and promotes diverse and unique Indigenous contributions?
The second half episode begins with Jerome and Agnes Vanderburg (Salish) sing another Snyulmn that is used to escort the women to the center of camp for the Syulm. This song was sung by both men and women in going to the center of the camp circle where the dance was held.
Lydia and the IRC Team continue by imagining what the future of education would be to help future Indigenous scholars as they navigate Western academics.
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Guest: Lydia Jennings
Learn more:
https://www.willrunforsoil.com/about-us.html
https://www.nativesoilnerd.com/
http://nni.arizona.edu/people/staff/lydia-jennings
https://environmentalscience.cals.arizona.edu/person/lydia-jennings
Hosts: Kamiah Dumontier, Kisha Gurule, Salena Hill, Serra Hoagland, Shandin Pete, Brenda Shepard
Website http://irc.skc.edu
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