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Research with Tribal Nations:
Exploring Best Practices
Presented by: Karen Diver and Dr. G. H. Crystal Ng
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Karen Diver is currently the Senior Advisor to the President for Native Americans at the University of Minnesota. She previously held positions at the University of Arizona and the College of St. Scholastica. She served as Special Assistant to the President (Obama) for Native American Affairs at the White House from 2015-2017, and Chairwoman of the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa from 2007-2015. She has a Bachelors in Economics from the University of Minnesota Duluth and a Masters in Public Administration from the Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University.
G.-H. Crystal Ng is an associate professor in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota-Twin Cities. She received a PhD in Civil & Environmental Engineering from MIT and a BA in Applied Mathematics from Harvard University. Her research focuses on integrated hydrological modeling to understand how the water cycle interacts with soil, the atmosphere, plants, and biogeochemistry. She is particularly interested in responses to climate change, land-use/cover change, and contamination. Recently she has also been conducting interdisciplinary and community-engaged research, through which she strives to demonstrate the need for collaboration with Tribes, inclusion of other knowledge systems, and work toward environmental justice. She was a recipient of the Community-Engaged Scholar Award from University of Minnesota this past year.
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History of Exploiting Tribes/Indigenous Peoples
San Jose State: Professor smiling with Native American skull ignites fiery debate
Critics: ‘This is an attitude that went out of favor with colonialism.’ She blames ‘woke activist mob’ (The Mercury News, Oct. 5, 2021)
Indian Tribe Wins Fight to Limit Research of Its DNA
Edmond Tilousi, 56, who can climb the eight miles to the rim of the Grand Canyon in three hours.Credit...Jim Wilson/The New York Times April 21, 2010
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Line 3: White Earth argues DNR water permit violates wild rice rights
Brainerd, Minn.
August 5, 2021 8:15 PM
After decades, U of M is finally on track to return Native burial objects dug up in 1920s
Weisman and university officials were accused of "resistance" and "failure to comply with the law."
By Alicia Eler Star Tribune
DECEMBER 31, 2020 — 4:40PM
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Let’s Hear from Dr. Crystal Ng about:
Kawe Gidaa-naanaagadawendaamin Manoomin
First we must consider Manoomin / Psiη (wild rice)
A Tribal-University Research Collaboration
Let’s Hear from Dr. Crystal Ng about:
Kawe Gidaa-naanaagadawendaamin Manoomin
First we must consider Manoomin / Psiη (wild rice)
A Tribal-University Research Collaboration
https://manoominpsin.umn.edu/
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Questions to ask yourself about what is ethical, assure equity:
Do you have an existing relationship with the community/Tribe?
Who gets to decide what’s important?
Who are you accountable to?
How do you resolve conflict?
Do you have permission from the Tribe?
Have you prepared yourself to work with a Tribe?
“Research done on Tribes, not with Tribes”
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There are Best Practices in Tribal Research!
Let’s talk about Dr. Ng’s example
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Other examples of Best Practices
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Mii gwetch (Thank you) for your interest in Tribal Research Best Practices.
Questions?