Supporting Indigenous STEM through AISES

I recently had the opportunity to serve on the planning committee for The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) 2023 Region 7 Conference.? The conference was hosted on April 21st-22nd at Robeson Community College where I currently serve as the Director of Institutional Planning & Research.?

AISES Region 7 is comprised of Alabama, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.?

Robeson County is home of the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina , which is the largest tribe east of the Mississippi River.? Lumbee representation and support was very strong at this conference, but tribal affiliation did not end with the Lumbee.? There were 20 tribes represented by our attendees at this conference.

Tribes:

1. Bad River Band of Ojibwe
2. Cheroenhaka (Nottoway)
3. Cherokee
4. Chickasaw
5. Coharie
6. Haliwa-Saponi
7. Hopi Tribe
8. Iroquois?
9. Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina
10. Maya Akateka
11. Miccosukee
12. Monacan Nation?
13. Navajo, Dine'
14. Oneida Nation of Wisconsin
15. Pee Dee Indian Tribe of South Carolina
16. Sappony?
17. Seneca Nation of Indians
18. Waccamaw Siouan
19. Wyandotte Nation
20. Sequoyah

In addition to tribal representation, there were 30 businesses and organizations, 11 colleges, and 6 school districts represented by our attendees at this conference as well.???

Businesses and Organizations:

1. AISES
2. Alanai Homes
3. CDM Smith
4. Emerging Technology Institute
5. 思科 Systems, Inc.
6. desco Industries Inc
7. Duke Energy Corporation
8. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
9. Kyndryl
10. Lumbee Community Development Corporation, Inc.
11. Lumbee Tribe Holdings, Inc. - Joshua D. Malcolm
12. Metcon, Inc.
13. MLDG
14. NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration
15. Cummings Aerospace
16. NC Commission of Indian Affairs
17. Optimum Analytics and Solutions LLC
18. 甲骨文
19. 辉瑞
20. 红帽
21. SANS Institute
22. Scotland Healthcare System ?
23. Seeing Beea€?s
24. Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center
25. TRC Companies, Inc.
26. Triangle UXPA
27. 联合利华
28. USDA
29. 默克
30. Dominion Energy

Education Institutions (Colleges and School Districts):

1. American Military University
2. Clinton City Schools, Clinton, NC
3. Columbus County Schools
4. Cumberland County Schools
5. East Carolina University School of Dental Medicine
6. Hoke County Schools
7. North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics?
8. 美国北卡罗莱纳州立大学
9. 美国东北大学 Khoury College of Computer Sciences-Arlington Campus
10. Public Schools of Robeson County
11. Robeson Community College
12. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke
13. The University of North Carolina Wilmington
14. The 美国北卡罗来纳大学教堂山分校
15. Tohono O'Odham Community College
16. 美国佛罗里达大学
17. Virginia Tech

The AISES Region 7 conference serves as a unique opportunity for students, educators, professionals, and community members to learn, network, and discuss issues related to science, technology, engineering, and math (#STEM) fields, especially as it relates to #Indigenouspeoples. Conference attendees had the opportunity to participate in a wide range of activities, including keynote addresses, panel discussions, technical workshops, cultural learning, and a career hub.? They also had the opportunity to engage with fellow attendees and experts in their field, learn about cutting-edge research, and gain valuable skills and knowledge that will help enable success in academic and professional journeys.

The AISES Region 7 Conference offered opportunities for:?

• STEM career pathway awareness and exploration?
• Professional development skills-building workshops?
• Career and community leadership development sessions?
• Research education, training, exchange, and dissemination?
• #Networking?
• #Mentorship?
• Career, internship, and academic opportunities during the largest #Indigenous College and Career Hub in the Southeast?
• Pathways for integrating STEM research and careers with native culture and identity?
• Interactions with Native elders and cultural ceremonies to motivate and empower Native students and professionals to persist and excel in their STEM studies and careers

Why is AISES important??

“The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) is a national nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers” (https://www.aises.org/about/our-mission).??

AISES is important because it acts as a support system for indigenous students pursuing education and careers in STEM fields.? AISES provides resources, mentorship, and networking opportunities to promote success for indigenous students in STEM.

Additionally, AISES works to increase the representation of Indigenous peoples in STEM fields, where they are currently underrepresented.? This is important because diversity in STEM leads to a broader range of perspectives and innovative solutions to problems.

Finally, AISES raises awareness of the contributions of Indigenous peoples to #science and #technology and promotes the preservation of Indigenous knowledge and traditions in STEM fields.? This helps to combat prejudice and promote respect for Indigenous peoples and their unique cultures.

STEM education is important for Indigenous peoples for a number of reasons:

• Economic development:? STEM education can provide Indigenous peoples with the skills necessary to develop and succeed economically.? STEM jobs are in high demand, and many Indigenous communities can benefit from the #economicdevelopment that comes with a STEM-educated workforce.
• Preservation of traditional knowledge:? Many Indigenous communities have a built-in interest in STEM fields, as they possess #traditionalknowledge that is grounded in #science, #technology, #engineering, and #math principles.? Integrating STEM education into Indigenous #education systems can help to preserve this knowledge and ensure that it is passed down to future generations.
• Environmental stewardship:? STEM education is critical to developing informed and effective environmental stewards.? Indigenous peoples and their lands are among the most threatened by climate change, and a STEM-educated generation of Indigenous students could help to mitigate these risks.
• Empowerment:? STEM education can empower Indigenous peoples to take control of their futures and contribute to their communities in meaningful ways.? By providing access to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics education, Indigenous students can take advantage of new opportunities and actively shape their own destinies.

Conference Planning

We began planning this conference in January which many may find hard to believe given the success of the conference.? When a group of individuals come together for a common purpose they are passionate about, much can be accomplished through their teamwork and dedication.??

The following is a list of members of the AISES Region 7 Conference Planning Committee:? Ursula Adams , Loretta Allen , Kristy Blue , Dr. Kenneth L. Bowen , Jeremy Chavis , Jamie Collins , Valarie Deese , Veronica Kay Freeman, M. A. , Vonda Graham , William Hunt, Megan Locklear, MSA , Rudy Locklear , Scottie Locklear , Kaitlan Lyons , Stephanie McNeill , Derek Miller , Samatha Oxendine, Myia Reyes, MPA , Michael Sanderson , and Heath Worriax .?

Here are some basic steps our committee took for planning the conference:

• Define the conference's objective and purpose
• Formulate a clear and specific plan, theme and format for the conference
• Determine the budget for the conference and gather funds if necessary
• Identify and invite potential speakers/panelists and participants/guests
• Choose a suitable location and date for the conference while considering the budget
• Plan conference-related activities such as workshops, breakout sessions, networking events, and social activities
• Create and manage a conference website and social media channels for marketing and promoting the event
• Arrange for accommodations, travel, transportation for speakers and participants
• Hire vendors to support the conference, such as catering services, audiovisual services, and security services
• Plan and coordinate the logistics of the event, including registration, and onsite management
• Plan for unforeseen circumstances that may impact the success of the conference
• Evaluate and measure the success of the conference to assess and improve future conferences

The cost to attend this conference was minimal ($20 for professionals and $10 for students).? Therefore, this conference would not have been possible without the generous support of our conference sponsors.? We began marketing the conference and soliciting sponsors in February.? Therefore, between mid-February and April 20th, we were fortunate to raise fiscal and in-kind contributions to a total of $46,400.??

The following are some of the strategies that we used for #marketing and #fundraising:?

• Set clear goals: Identify the goals of your conference, such as the number of attendees, brand awareness, and fundraising targets
• Develop a comprehensive marketing plan: Use social media, email marketing, and other digital channels to promote your conference
• Create an event website: Build a website specifically for your conference to showcase the agenda, speakers, sponsors, and registration information
• Reach out to potential sponsors: Use targeted outreach strategies to pitch the benefits of sponsoring your conference and create packages for sponsorship levels
• Leverage your network: Reach out to your personal and professional networks to spread the word about your conference - LinkedIn is a great resource for this?

Measure success: Use key performance indicators (KPIs) to track the success of your marketing and fundraising efforts, such as the number of registrations or funds raised

The support of our sponsors was the reason we were able to provide opportunities at this conference for attendees to have rewarding professional learning experiences centered around STEM and Indigenous Culture.? Seven $500 dollar scholarships were awarded during the conference, an endowment for AISES members was established with the Robeson Community College Foundation, and funding was provided to the RCC AISES Chapter, the UNCP AISES Chapter, and the NC AISES Professional chapter for their support on the planning committee.??

The following is a list of our sponsors:

• Eagle Sponsors:? Lumbee Tribe Holdings, Inc., Duke Energy, Lumberton Visitors Bureau, Merck, and AISES Corporate Sponsors (Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, United States Department of Agriculture, United States Intelligence Community, and NASA)
• Turtle Sponsors:? Emerging Technology Institute Inc., Cummings Aerospace, Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina, First Americans’ Pathway to STEM Success at RCC, Metcon, and Dominion Energy
• Bear Sponsors:? M-R Electric & Security Alarms, Inc., Primary Health Choice Inc., USDA Florence South Carolina, The Chemours Company , Freese and Nichols , Susan McNeil Concession, 辉瑞 , and R. Cameron Jacobs, MBA
• Deer Sponsors:? Dr. Kenneth L. Bowen, Jarrod Lowery - State Representative, Sheriff Burnis Wilkins , Faline Dial - County Commissioner, Lumbee River EMC (LREMC) , Lumbee Regional Development Association, Northeastern-Khoury College of Computer Science, Patterson’s Steak and Grill, Judy Sampson - County Commissioner, Boles Funeral Home, Michael Jacobs, The Luna Tree LLC , Triangle UXPA, North Carolina Commission of Indian Affairs, Daniell Perez, Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center at NC State, MaDukes Sweets & Treats, CQue Food/Vending, Worriax Backhoe Service, John Cummings - County Commissioner, Scott Lamm, Ginger Oxendine, Bio Pharma Professional Services, LLC, Fran’s Favorites, Loretta Allen, North Carolina Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation Grant at UNCP, Cisco, State Farm - Corbin Eddings , EZPZ Lemonade, Lumbee Outfitters, Phil Co Food Truck, Hunt’s Tire, Icebreakers Snowball, The University of North Carolina at Pembroke Admissions Office, Down South Wood Turning, Crystal Fedor, and Fran’s Favorites

Conclusion

Native American communities have a deep history and cultural ties to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).? Indigenous peoples have been using science and technology to solve problems in their daily lives, including agriculture, transportation, medicine, and architecture for centuries.

Indigenous knowledge systems are deeply rooted in observation, experimentation, and analysis of the natural world.? Traditional ecological knowledge is a complex and systematic understanding of the environment, which is passed down through generations of Native American communities.? This knowledge has been demonstrated to be valuable in modern scientific research and is recognized as an important tool in conservation efforts.

Indigenous scientists have made significant contributions to STEM fields.? The following examples demonstrate the success of Indigenous peoples in STEM and the importance of promoting diversity and inclusion in science and technology:

• Mary Golda Ross, a Cherokee Nation citizen, was a mathematician and one of the first female engineers at Lockheed Corporation.? She played a crucial role in the development of intercontinental ballistic missiles and satellite technology.
• Dr. Gregory Cajete, a member of the Santa Clara Pueblo tribe, is a prominent educator in Indigenous science and has authored numerous books on this subject. His work emphasizes the importance of cultural and spiritual connections to the natural world, as well as the integration of Western science and Indigenous knowledge systems.
• Dr. Karlie Noon is an Indigenous astrophysicist who completed her PhD at the University of Technology Sydney. She is the first Indigenous Australian to achieve this degree and is actively promoting STEM education and opportunities for Indigenous youth.
• Dr. Donna Auguste is a computer scientist and entrepreneur of the Karuk Tribe of California. She is the founder of the software company Freshwater Software and has been a vocal supporter of diversity and inclusion in tech.
• Dr. Leroy Little Bear is a physicist, author, and educator from the Blood Tribe in Alberta, Canada. He has worked on developing Indigenous science curriculums and has advocated for the integration of Indigenous knowledge in science education.
• The Maori people of New Zealand have been using traditional navigation techniques to navigate the Pacific Ocean for thousands of years. In recent years, many Maori have been involved in the development of modern navigation technology, including using GPS and satellite imagery to map traditional routes.

Overall, the ties between Indigenous #culture, #history, and STEM are strong and continue to be recognized and celebrated. Through the integration of traditional knowledge systems with modern science and technology, Indigenous communities are addressing current challenges and shaping the future of STEM.??

Those who attended our conference were able to witness firsthand the difference that Indigenous peoples are continuing to make, especially throughout AISES Region 7, as many of our sponsors were Indigenous owned businesses or had Indigenous representation at our conference.??

As we drill down to our region and the United States, it is a fact that Native Americans have been one of the oldest and most marginalized groups in the United States.? Despite years of colonization, forced relocation, and cultural suppression, #NativeAmericans have remained a resilient and proud people.? Today, many Native American communities are still fighting for their rights and recognition, as well as preserving their culture and traditions for future generations.? Acknowledging and honoring the rich history and ongoing presence of Native Americans in our society should be a continuous priority because we are still here, and we are making a positive impact for future and current generations.? #7AISES23