The report features seven TCU grads and Indigenous researchers working in agriculture, wildlife management, investment and other areas affecting the quality of life in Native nations.
By Paul Boyer
Seven Indigenous environmental leaders are profiled in a new guidebook for Native students and community members, published by the American Indian College Fund.
Caring for Our Kin: Stories of Indigenous Environmental Stewardship was created as part of the College Fund’s Tiyata Wan Unkagapi (We Are Making a Home) Environmental Stewardship Program, which supports environmental science and natural resource programs at tribal colleges in the Northern Great Plains.
According to the College Fund, the program views stewardship as a multi-faceted activity, grounded in the family and community, that works to “build capacity in environmental science and natural resource programs, land-based research, community engagement, and collaboration.”
The seven Indigenous environmental leaders featured in the guidebook include:
Adriann Killsnight He’heenóhká’e (Blackbirdwoman) (Northern Cheyenne Nation), whoconducts research in wildlife management through her own consulting firm.
Ayanna Maynard (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe), who designs student learning experiences for an NSF-funded agriculture technology initiative.
Foster Cournoyer Hogan (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), who is working to strengthen bison revitalization across tribal nations.
Nick Hernandez (Oglala Sioux Tribe), who is building Indigenous-led community systems around food and workforce development.
Shaun Grassel (Lower Brule Sioux Tribe), who leads a nonprofit focused on grassland restoration and wildlife conservation.
Teri Harper (Cherokee Nation), who established an internship program within Aaniiih Nakoda College’s Buffalo Research and Education Center.
Zach Ducheneaux (Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe), who designs investment models grounded in relationships and shared prosperity.
View the guidebook and other resources by visiting https://collegefund.org/programs/environmental-stewardship/.
