This is a past event.

Environmental Engineering Graduate Seminar

Dr. Valoree Gagnon, Director, University-Indigenous Community Partnerships, GLRC, Assistant Professor, College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science, Michigan Tech

Abstract
Community-engaged research requires creating and navigating the pathway to equitable, inclusive partnerships. With the realization that a diversity of stakeholders, rights holders, and research sponsors require more than can be accomplished by the solo investigator, how might one engage in this work in a good way? This talk illustrates ‘bridging’ as an adaptable/adoptable concept and practice between Western and Indigenous knowledges. Gagnon will share the “Seasons of Research'' framework, created in partnership with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community Lake Superior Band of Ojibwa, and applied in a socio-ecological systems research project (NSF AWARD #2009258), Bridging Knowledge Systems and Expertise for Understanding the Dynamics of a Contaminated Tribal Landscape System. Extending from long-term transdisciplinary work (2010- ), we are currently examining tribal landscape system (TLS) dynamics impacted by anthropogenic toxic contamination and climate-related changes. The talk concludes by proposing future directions and good relations for strengthening research partnerships as a shared priority commitment.