Abstract Detail

Educating for a Diverse and Inclusive Community in Botany

Newberry, Teresa [1].

The Role of Tribal Colleges in Promoting a Diverse and Inclusive Community in Botany.

Tribal colleges have a dual mission to preserve tribal culture and to provide students a high-quality post-secondary education while serving the needs of the community and tribal members. Tribal colleges are uniquely situated to train Native scientists and to preserve indigenous knowledge systems which include traditional ecological knowledge (TEK). At Tohono O’odham Community College (TOCC), we have developed unique and innovative instructional strategies that are integrated into the Tohono O’odham Himdag (“life-way”) with a goal of preparing students to face current and future challenges using both 21st-century knowledge and traditional knowledge. Our programs serve to increase the diversity of knowledge as well as the diversity of professionals in the botanical sciences. Diverse professionals not only benefit their own communities, but also benefit society with their culture-based knowledge, motivation, and skills that bring unique perspectives to problem-solving that are critical in today’s global society.

1 - Tohono O'odham Community College, Department of Science, Mathematics, and Health, P.O. Box 3129, Sells, Arizona, 85634

Keywords:
diversity
traditional ecological knowledge
Indigenous
education.

Presentation Type:
Session: SS1, The Future of Botany: Educating for a Diverse and Inclusive Community in Botany
Location: Tucson C/Starr Pass
Date: Monday, July 29th, 2019
Time: 2:15 PM
Number: SS1003
Abstract ID:1227
Candidate for Awards:None