Project Overview
Shared histories and contemporary influences of First-Nations people of Eastern North America and Western Australia.
Department(s)
Geography
Abstract
In June 2025, a group of First-Nation Australian students from Curtin University in Perth, Western Australia (WA) will be visiting Colgate for two weeks. This visit is an outgrowth of Colgate’s long-running extended study to Western Australia. For many years, Colgate students have learned from Aboriginal Elders in WA and we seek to provide a similar opportunity for First-Nation Australian students at Colgate. During this 8 week research project, two students will help us research issues that will be explored during the visit. These might include land care (including issues related to fire management and restoration ecology), cultural practices that promote a sense of place, and environmental justice. During the two weeks when the Curtin students are on campus, the Colgate research students will help host the student, participate in many of the planned activities/excursions, and learn from our visitors. Examples of activities and excursions include visits to Haudenshawnee sites of importance, a camping trip to the Adirondacks where sense-of-place exercises will be conducted, and other local trips to museums, etc.
After the Curtin students depart, the Colgate students will continue their library research, develop a report on what they learned, and construct teaching modules that might be incorporated into Geography courses (e.g., the Geography of Happiness, Environmental Hazards, Population and Environment). The students will also produce an annotated bibliography that will assist Professors Klepeis and Burnett in their research and teaching.
Student Qualifications
Geography major or minor preferred, or coursework in Geography. Associated disciplines, such as Environmental Studies and Native American Studies, will also be considered.
Number of Student Researchers
2 students
Project Length
8 weeks
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