(Speaker Series) Understanding the History of Ecology and Imperialism: The Importance of Indigenous Environmental Studies

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Description

The environment drives many conversations about what it means to be human and how to live in our world today. Indigenous peoples have protected their environments since time immemorial and continue to in the face of climate change. Yet their work is seldomly acknowledged. This talk will outline the rapidly growing academic field of Indigenous Environmental Studies. It will shed light on the origins of European ecological sciences and their connections to imperialism and encourage the audience to grapple with those legacies today. Dr. Natasha Myhal from the School of Environment and Natural Resources (SENR) will discuss the Indigenous Environmental Studies courses created for SENR, highlighting the benefits of diverse perspectives and diverse ways of experiencing the world in conversations about the environment. To move forward in a new and equitable way, Indigenous solutions and voices need to be front and center.

Speaker Bio

Natasha Myhal is a citizen of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians. She is a Provost's Fellow - Assistant Professor of Indigenous Environmental Studies at The Ohio State University. At Ohio State, she is also an American Indian Studies collaborative faculty member in the Center for Ethnic Studies. Before joining the School of Environment and Natural Resources, she was the 2022-2023 Henry Roe Cloud Dissertation Fellow at Yale University, hosted by American Studies and the Yale Group for the Study of Native America. Her interdisciplinary research and teaching centers on three areas: Anishinaabe epistemologies and value systems such as mino-bimaadiziwin (living well), contemporary forms of Indigenous governance, Indigenous environmental restoration, and cultural practices.

Accessibility

We strive to make all events accessible to everyone. All virtual programs are presented with automated closed captions. If you wish to request traditional CART services or other accommodations, please contact Laura Akgerman at akgerman.4@osu.edu or 614-292-0622. Requests submitted two weeks in advance will generally allow us to provide seamless access, but the university will make every effort to meet every request.