Scholarly Work - Indigenous Research Initiative
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Item Green museums waking up the world: indigenous and mainstream approaches to exploring sustainability(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2018) Medicine Horse, Jennifer Neso'eoo'e; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Robert RydellMainstream and Indigenous Museums are ideally situated, both geographically and culturally, to educate the public about complex twenty-first century environmental issues. The most effective approaches to understanding, addressing, and adapting to these climate changes can be conveyed by museums, incorporating a holistic methodology utilizing the knowledge, observations and ideas of both Western and Indigenous peoples, and directed toward the young people of the world most impacted by climate disruption. This qualitative research was conceptualized iteratively within an Indigenous research methodology, using a combination of Western and Indigenous research approaches to create a hybrid methodology that would satisfy academic requirements, yet foster the community required to successfully answer the research question. Although a formal list of interview questions was developed, the qualitative interviews were primarily conducted in an informal conversational manner, allowing the respondents to tell their stories and include what they felt was relevant. A snowball strategy was employed to generate the potential interviews, as well as scouting potential interviews at the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and Association of Tribal Archives Libraries and Museums (ATALM) annual conferences during the years 2011-2015. One hundred and three interviews were conducted at ten institutions; all interviews were conducted in-person on-site at the home institutions. Approximately half of the interviews were conducted at the Smithsonian Institution as the result of a Smithsonian Research Fellowship. The interview respondents were forthcoming about their experiences and observations regarding sustainability initiatives at their institutions. The interviews suggest that it is indeed possible for museums to address issues of climate disruption and sustainability efficaciously, utilizing both Western and Indigenous scientific knowledges to educate and engage the public. However, few American museums are currently attempting this task fraught with challenges, although museums are uniquely able to undertake this crucial work. The collaborative work catalyzed by the Cosmic Serpent and Native Universe NSF-funded research projects serves as a tested model to inspire museums to design their own initiatives. Citizen Science initiatives, engaging museums with their constituent youth, provide a promising way of conveying complex environmental information in a palatable manner to youth of various ages and cultural backgrounds.Item Community-based prevention education on abusive head trauma in a Montana Native American community(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Nursing, 2019) Schmitt, Emily Marie; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Sandra KuntzThis scholarly project cultivated a partnership with a Montana Native American community to develop an implementation method of an evidence-based, abusive-head-trauma-prevention education program. The partnering community felt that more could be done to prevent abusive head trauma. Utilizing the framework of Community-Based Participatory Research and the Rural Nursing Theory, this project identified the best available evidence and then developed multiple methods to implement this prevention material. Multiple lessons were learned and important reflections developed from the project process. These lessons can be utilized to guide future projects. A model for program implementation was developed for future use and implementation of the evidence-based, abusive-head-trauma-prevention program.Item An Apsaalooke view for educational leadership(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2019) Cummins, Jason Dean; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: William RuffThere have been many calls for Native American communities to be given more self-determination in the education of their children. Yet despite these calls for allowing Native American parents to be included in the education of their children this is not happening (Bird, Lee and Lopez, 2013). In this study the researcher utilizes an Indigenous research methodology adhering the cultural protocols of the Apsaalooke nation and building upon the 4 R's, which are respect, relevance, reciprocity and responsibility (Kirkness & Barnhardt, 1991). This research allowed Apsaalooke tribal members, identified through the protocols of the Ashammaliaxxiia to voice their perspective and expectations for school leaders who serve students in their communities. There were formal interviews, informal visits and personal communications. The research questions that guided this study are: 1. What kind of behavior and actions do Apsaalooke tribal members expect from school leaders such as principals and superintendents serving their students? 2. How can school leaders work well with parents and leaders in the Apsaalooke community? 3. What do Apsaalooke tribal members want school leaders to know and be aware of in the education of the children of the tribe? From the research four salient themes emerged which are: 1. A leaders first job is to learn; 2. Lead through relationships; 3. Crows take education seriously; 4. The preservation of Apsaalooke identity and culture. Seventeen tribal members participated in the study. From the study the researcher found that leaders need to respect the community and build authentic relationships within it by being present and connected to the community. Lead the school with those relationships within the informal leadership model in the community in a more flattened model based on the respect of and the character possessed by influential leaders, rather than a hierarchical one, as well as defend those relationships. Understand the Apsaalooke want their student to achieve academically and help parents to support their students in this and hire and retain quality teachers. Support the preservation and perpetuation of the Apsaalooke way of life.Item Inflammatory effects of food available through the food distribution program on Indian reservations (FDPIR; commodities)(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2018) Smith, Melanie Sue; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Mary P. Miles; Mary P. Miles, Elizabeth Rink and Suzanne Held were co-authors of the article, 'Inflammatory effects of food available through the food distribution program on Indian reservations (FDPIR; commodities)' which is contained within this thesis.American Indian and Alaskan Native (AI/AN) populations experience some of the greatest health disparities and the lowest life expectancy in the United States compared to all other races and ethnicities. The Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR) is a primary food supplement program that serves AI/AN communities in the United States. Recent studies have reported that FDPIR monthly food packages do not meet Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA). This study measured the effects of two FDPIR diets on inflammation, appetite, and energy intake to better understand potential health outcomes of each FDPIR diet. A within-subjects, randomized, crossover design was used to compare two dietary conditions: 1) FDPIR diet that met Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA); and 2) a typical FDPIR diet. Participants were AI/AN and non-AI/AN men and women (n=13), 18-55 years of age, with a waist circumference of > 94 cm for men and > 80 cm for women. Salivary interleukin 1 beta (IL-1beta) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) were collected at six separate time points over 24 hours to determine inflammatory response for each condition. Self-reported visual analogue scale (VAS) appetite questionnaires were used to gauge the effect of each condition on specific appetite sensations (hunger, fullness, satiety, desire to eat, and prospective consumption). Daily energy intake was calculated by weighing food in grams before and after each test day. There were no significant differences in inflammatory response and appetite sensations between the two dietary conditions found by RMANOVA (p<0.05). Participants ate 14% more (p<0.01) kilocalories on a typical FDPIR diet compared to FDPIR diet that met DGA. Higher energy intakes during a typical FDPIR diet compared to a FDPIR diet that meets DGA may increase risk for obesity and nutrition-related diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other chronic inflammatory conditions. This project was approved by Montana State University Institutional Review Board (IRB) and is supported by National Institute of General Medical Sciences of the National Institutes of Health award number P20GM103474.Item Piikani School leadership(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2018) Hall, Omaksaakoomapi Bradford Roy; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: William RuffThis dissertation focuses on Piikani school leadership as shared through the narratives and experiences of a retired school leader. Noonaki's experiences chronicle her longevity in school leadership and steadfast commitment to integrating the Piikani culture and language into the schools she led on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Noonaki's stories provide a realistic view of school leadership challenges she faced and offer her thought provoking knowledge to inspire current and aspiring school leaders to accept the Piikani values into their practices. School leaders are key to advancing Piikani values, culture, and language into the schools they serve on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation. Therefore, school leaders when developing relevant leadership practices, are called upon to commit themselves to practice ai-sii-moki' (guidance, teaching, and discipline), as they encounter and mitigate challenges among community stakeholders, specifically focusing on how they each can support student success. Through Noonaki's transfer of knowledge from her to the researcher, this exchange encapsulates her experiences into stories, told in the places where she practiced school leadership. Community Centered Digital Storywork (CCDS), is an integrated Piikani knowledge dissemination framework, that leverages cultural protocols to capture Piikani ways of knowing. Noonaki inspires current and aspiring school leaders to build their skills and practices around the Piikani values of okamotsitapiyiisin (honesty), ainnakowe (respect), aahsitapiitsin (generosity), waattosin (spirituality), matsisskii or iiyiikittahpii (courage), maanistapaisspipii (humility), and kimmapiiyipitsinni (compassion).Item The current state of Diné bizaad(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2016) Pearson, Fox Chancellor; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Matthew HermanDiné Bizaad, also known as the Navajo language, is the most common Native American language in the United States. In his research for this thesis, Fox Chancellor Pearson seeks to ascertain for himself the current state of Diné Bizaad. Pearson combines his own observations, living and working both on and bordering the Navajo Nation, with input gathered during interviews with Diné people from diverse walks-of-life. Pearson concludes that Diné Bizaad is still alive and well among Diné elders, but it is in rapid decline among the younger generation.Item Traditional knowledge systems and tribal water governance on Fort Peck Indian Reservation, MT(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2017) Zoanni, Dionne Kae; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Jamie McEvoy; Jamie McEvoy, Julia Haggerty and Elizabeth Rink were co-authors of the article, 'All the answers are in our culture': integrating traditional knowledge systems into tribal water governance on Fort Peck Indian Reservation, Montana' submitted to the journal 'Geoforum' which is contained within this thesis.The Fort Peck Indian Reservation is located in northeast Montana and is home to the Assiniboine (Nakona) and Sioux (Dakota) Tribes. Conventional oil and gas development and the disposal of produced water has led to the contamination of 15-37 billion gallons of groundwater within the aquifer that had historically been the only source of drinking water for reservation community members. Although the tribes are aware of the contamination plume, exploiting newly accessible shale resources has become a viable option as the tribes continue to try to alleviate the high unemployment and poverty rates of tribal members. Even so, tribal members and authorities also understand the importance of ecological health in fostering a healthy community. A strong movement of cultural resurgence has been in motion, with tribal members looking to traditional stories and lessons in order to guide the future of the community and create community cohesion. Traditional knowledge systems (TKS) have been heralded throughout contemporary Indigenous governance literature as an important dynamic resource for indigenous communities that deal with difficult decisions involving resource management. Using a TKS framework and interviews with tribal members, this research seeks to answer the following questions: 1) What are the TKS that surrounds water and its use for the Nakona and Dakota tribes? 2) What are some of the opportunities and barriers that exist for the successful incorporation of TKS into tribal water governance structures at Fort Peck? Challenges to validity, process, and relevance due to political histories and power imbalances, as well as diverse intertribal knowledge systems, may impede the successful integration of Indigenous knowledge in collaborative water governance initiatives with outside interests. The internal knowledge sharing process has the potential to enhance cultural revitalization efforts on the reservation -- which represent an organic solution that takes place from within the community itself. In addition, TKS-based tribal policies may uphold the expression of tribal self-determination, i.e. the 'governance-value' of traditional knowledge systems.Item Nkʷuwils: becoming one through Sqelixʷ education(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2017) Munson, Michael; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: William Ruff; Jioanna Carjuzaa (co-chair)To carry the hope envisioned by the Elders and ancestors who have come before us, it is our duty as Séliš and Ql'ispé peoples of The Flathead Reservation, to stand together to redefine success for our children--to re-imagine a system of education that realizes deeper understandings of our traditional languages and cultures, stronger identity, greater pride, higher rates of achievement as determined by our people, and better preparation for our children to live in the best way possible, as strong and proud contributors and leaders for our communities. Guided by teachings passed on since time immemorial, we can meld our traditional languages, cultures, educational strategies, practices, and lifeways with high expectations to provide an education that prepares our children to lead our communities, state, nation and world in spiritual, cultural, linguistic, emotional, physical, and academic ways. The information gathered within this work has been informed by informal conversations with Sqelixʷ Elders, their children, and their grandchildren, which have followed Sqelixʷ life ways to work towards finding a consensus. This collaborative work offers seven key considerations to remember in regards to understanding and carrying on Sqelixʷ education and lifeways: 1) Nkʷuwilš (Intergenerational Nature); 2) St̓ulix̣ Sʔac̓c̓x̣s łut Sqlqelixʷ (Sqelixʷ Worldview; 3) Ɫus Nqwtnaqsms łu Spx̣pax̣t (Importance of Spirituality; 4) Putʔem u Nćxʷlew̓s (Respect and Relationships); 5) X̣est Sm̓im̓eyem łul Scxʷlxʷlt (Appropriate Teachings Throughout Lifetime; 6) Nttelšm u Nttelšmis (Willingness and Wantingness); and, 7) Sxʷiććš łu č̓ Sqlqelixʷ (Contribution to Community). The findings redefine education for our Sqelixʷ people, from womb until we continue our journeys into life with our ancestors. In fact, the key understandings shared are so robust they identify holistic ways of being - as educators, as learners, as people guided by respect, love, hope, spirituality, contribution to community, and so many other values - Sqelixʷ values. They remind us how to live in the best way, with and for our people. This work solidifies the idea that education for Indigenous communities is best when it is defined by the community. It adds an example for others to use as a reference while working with their own Indigenous communit(ies) globally.Item Inquiry into the cultural consciousness of nursing students during a one-week cultural immersion service learning experience within an American Indian community(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Education, Health & Human Development, 2016) Alexander-Ruff, Julie Heather; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Arthur W. BangertCultural consciousness is a central element of purposeful and appropriate health care delivery that integrates knowledge, sensitivity and understanding (Korton & Sahtouris, 2001). The preponderance of research across a variety of disciplines suggests that cultural consciousness and awareness is strengthened through self-reflection (Axtell, Avery & Westra, 2010; Danielewicz, 2001; Furlong & Wright, 2011; Gay & Kirkland, 2003; Rew, 2014), dialogue about race (Murray-Garcia, Harrell, Garcia, Gizzi, & Simms-Mackey , 2014), and experience within other cultures (Fredericks, 2006; Kozub,2013; Peaz, Allen, Carson & Cooper, 2008; Stone, et.al., 2014). The purpose of this study was to examine nursing students' perceptions of cultural consciousness pertaining to American Indian culture developed during a one-week cultural immersion service learning (CISL) experience. Specifically, The overarching research question central to the focus of this study was: How do nursing students at this university describe their CISL experience? Three sub questions were posed to inform the main research question. An intrinsic single case study design bounded by the students' perceptions of a cultural immersion service learning experience within an American Indian community was used to answer the research questions. Thirty participants were selected from two cohorts of nursing students enrolled in Nursing Care of Children and Family, a required junior-level course participated in a one-week CISL experience. Data included instructor observations and two sets of student reflections. The data were analyzed using the constant-comparative method (Strauss, 1987). Evidence from clinical reflections demonstrated most students wrestled a mismatch between their initial expectations and the reality of the situation, but several weeks afterward two-thirds of the students integrated the CISL experience into a coherent whole in which cultural consciousness emerged in their reflections. The findings from this study suggest that incorporating CISL experiences into undergraduate nursing curricula may facilitate the development of cultural consciousness and the skills needed for culturally competent care in student nurses. Also, there appeared to be a link between students' ability to recognize their societal privilege, the close proximity of healthcare disparities, and cultural consciousness. Additionally, recommendations were provided for developing a CISL experience within an undergraduate nursing program.Item The effects of explicit science vocabulary instruction on vocabulary acquisition on the Flathead Indian Reservation(Montana State University - Bozeman, Graduate School, 2016) Stockton, William M.; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Peggy Taylor.Explicit vocabulary instruction is a teaching strategy that involves a teacher selecting three to five vocabulary words and focusing instruction around those words. When working with students who are English Language Learners or struggle with vocabulary acquisition, this strategy is thought to be very successful. Students on the Flathead Indian Reservation often struggle with vocabulary acquisition. In addition to this, some Native American students are also labeled English Language Learners; thus, the amount of explicit instruction was increased over several units. Significant gains were observed in each of the three units, but because these gains did not correlate with the increase of instruction, the quantitative data was inconclusive. These gains do indicate that the baseline of 22% instructional time was an adequate amount of instruction to improve scientific vocabulary acquisition.