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Tribal Urban Rural Nexus (TURN)

How do you conduct reciprocal, respectful, and relevant research for and with tribal communities?

What does it take to do research in the service of and engaged with Native American tribal communities in the Intermountain West? This project seeks to design appropriate and indigenous-centered research including tribal presence in Boise, species reintroductions and resource management on tribal lands, and indigenous-centered mapping practices.

Experience Gained

We will strive to develop three practices:

1) methods to partner with both individual tribal members and the appropriate tribal governance systems in a process that puts VIP research capacity at their service

2) better coordination among scholars to highlight tribal successes and capacity development by using our expertise in policy and governance structures, in social and geographic systems of species restoration, and in navigating rural to urban issues and

3) the production of a series of indigenous-appropriate maps or references narrating the dynamic overlap of cultural sites with public lands, urban areas, and territories of memory.

Methodologies and/or Technologies used to achieve project goals:

  • participant/study observations
  • qualitative research methods
  • quantitative research methods
  •  writing and presenting study results

    Majors and Interests Needed

    No previous coursework is required.

    • Any/All

    Coach Information

    Dr. Stephanie Witt is Director of Training for the School of Public Service. She is also a Professor in the Master of Public Administration (MPA) and Political Science programs. Her research interests include intergovernmental relations and human resource management. She is the former Editor of the Social Science Journal, and has served as Department Chair, Associate Dean, and the Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs.

    Dr. Emily Wakild is Professor of History and Director of the Environmental Studies Program in the School of Public Service. Her research interests include social and environmental change across time and space with a particular emphasis on conservation and national parks.  Most of her research relates to Latin America and she has also written extensively about teaching.

    Contact: emilywakild@boisestate.edu; Environmental Research Building 1143, Room 204; (208) 426-3529

    Course Information

    Full semester course.
    Choose to enroll in 1 or 2 credits in VIP 200, VIP 400, or VIP 500
    Team meetings TBD by participants.

    Want to join the team?

    For more information about this project and to request a permission number to register contact Dr. Wakild at emilywakild@boisestate.edu OR complete this interest form and someone will contact you. Check out this page for tips on contacting a professor.

    To register:  search by Subject: Vertically Integrated Projects, read the project description to find the right section of VIP 200, 400, or 500. Use permission number, here are instructions Add with a permission number