Environmental Conference of the Humanities (ECOTH)

Blair Many Fingers (Graduate Research Assistant), along with Kimmy Eckert, Iinakay Mountain Horse and Jordan David (Applied Studies students who are part of a research collaboration involving the Kainai Ecosystem Protection Association and the Prentice Institute) were presenters in the panel “Pommotsiiysinn Sapaatsima’pi” (Living in Harmony with All Our Relations) at the Environmental Conference of the Humanities (ECOTH) hosted at the University of Lethbridge.  This work has evolved since May 2025 under the guidance and vision of Ninna Piiksii (Dr. Mike Bruised Head, Chair of KEPA and Academic Elder Iniskim Indigenous Relations), and with the academic supervision of Dr. Andrea Cuéllar (Associate Director and panel moderator) and Patrick Wilson (Research Affiliate, Modern Languages and Linguistics).  The panelists discussed their experiences co-designing and co-delivering land-based workshops in June 2025, hosting Indigenous researchers from other Nations across the Americas to share perspectives on Indigenous-led socioecological restoration, and the epistemological openings made possible through the combination of land-based engagement and Indigenous transnational exchange. The Niitsitapi Circle of Excellence in Work-Integrated Learning has generously funded the Applied Studies students, now in their second consecutive term.