About Us
Who We Are
We are a group of transdisciplinary scholars engaged in Indigenous Science and community collaborative research to address questions of interest to Native Nations. Our expertise spans linguistics and language revitalization, molecular anthropology, archaeology and zooarchaeology, genomics, paleogenomics and pharmacogenomics, Indigenous data sovereignty, education, NAGPRA and repatriation, material sciences, entomology, biomedical sciences, and community-based research.
What We Do
The Center for Indigenous Science offers alternative models to scientific practices that are inclusive, sustainable, community-based, and ethical. Indigenous Science brings anti-colonial frameworks that move beyond disciplinary perspectives and white models of science. By centering the community and using relational and sustainable practices, Indigenous Science is uniquely positioned to incorporate anti-colonial theory and inclusive cultures in STEM fields. Importantly, Indigenous Science practices expand beyond research to include capacity building in science and developing career pipelines to gain representation in the larger scientific community.
Areas of Interest
The Center for Indigenous Science draws from transdisciplinary frameworks and integrates Traditional Knowledge, humanities, social sciences, life sciences, and physical sciences. We use Indigenous Science to collaboratively address areas of concern for Indigenous peoples, including environment, health, history, and language. Ongoing projects include the embodiment of historical trauma by colonization and buffering effects of community, the effects of environmental pollutants on Indigenous people’s health and food, repatriating research collections, and decolonizing zooarchaeology.
Equity, Inclusion, and Capacity Building
At the Center for Indigenous Science, we are dedicated to creating a welcoming and supportive space for Indigenous students, scholars, and members of Native Nations at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Our goals include creating pipelines for undergraduate and graduate Indigenous students to become Indigenous Science scholars and revitalizing Indigenous knowledge and practices that were disrupted by colonial forces.
Center for Indigenous Science
Carl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
1206 West Gregory Drive | MC-195
Urbana IL, 61801