by Ken Lokensgard, Assistant Director, Center for Native American Research & Collaborations

 

The Center for Native American Research & Collaboration (CNRC) continues its work in the area of ethical research and other collaborations, with the focus of meeting tribal needs and supporting Indigenous scholars and scholarship. Such work, during the Spring Semester of 2020, has included faculty trainings on Indigenous Research methods, ongoing collaboration with the Institutional Review Board in the Office of Research Assurances, and more.

We have continued to identify, develop, and share resources related to collaborative research. Many of these are now available online. Interested readers can find a lengthy list of publications on our Literature page. Other information can be found on our Resources page. On this latter page, we have shared extensive information and federal, state, and university laws and policies related to government-to-government relations and tribal sovereignty. We have also posted information on our Institutional Review Board research approval process. Additionally, there is some general information on Tribal Research Review processes. The CRNC emphasizes the importance of these processes, as they are a key means through which Tribal sovereignty is exercised.

Some of our recent work has been directed toward assisting our partners in the MOU Signatory Tribes meet needs that have arisen during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, in concert with WSU Health Sciences Office of Research and the Office of Native American Health Sciences, the CNRC has sought volunteers, from its Research Affiliates and Associates membership, to assist the tribes in applying for funding tied to COVID-19. Many volunteers stepped forward, and several have been engaged in helping write and/or edit tribal grant applications. With an unusually high number of requests for funding proposals, coming during a time when many tribal employees are out of their offices, several tribes requested such assistance. We are immensely grateful to everyone involved.

Despite the many disruptions caused the pandemic, several Native students have earned advanced degrees this semester. These include Veneice Guillory-Lacy (Nez Perce), who has earned her PhD in Education. Veneice has played a significant graduate and professional student leadership role at WSU, and her efforts have benefited many. You can read more about her in a recent WSU Insider article. Julian Ankney (Nez Perce) has also earned an advanced degree–her master’s in English. The Association for Faculty Women recently recognized Julian as one of five “outstanding” graduate students. Departing Director of Native Student Services, Faith Price (Assonet Band of Wampanoag), has earned her master’s degree in Prevention Science, adding to her master’s degree in Journalism. Faith will continue in the Prevention Science Program to complete her PhD, remaining a part of the WSU community. Nicholas Martin (Eastern Band of Cherokee) has earned his PhD in History, Tyler Fouty (CSKT) has completed his master’s degree in Environmental Engineering (and will continue on to his PhD), and Nichole Fournier (Huron) has completed her PhD in Anthropology. We know these graduates’ futures are bright, and we congratulate them on their accomplishments.