Agricultural Research Project Workshop

The College of Menominee Nation Sustainable Development Institute and the University of Wisconsin Extension invite you to a free two day workshop February 1-2 on the basics of soil science and agronomic research design. Sessions will take place at the S. Verna Fowler Library on the Keshena campus from 9:30 a.m.-3 p.m. each day.

Day One activities will focus on building attendees' knowledge of traditional Menominee farming practices, soil science and statistical basics, proper agronomic field research and sampling design, and the use of traditional ecological knowledge and scientific ecological knowledge to evaluate environmental changes.

Day Two activities will focus on the specific protocols and methods used in tribal, human subjects and agronomic research. Attendees will gain hands-on experience designing a research project to evaluate the use of traditional Menominee soil amendments and cropping practices on soil health and productivity at CMN-SDI during 2017-2018, as part of a US Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture Tribal Colleges Research Grant.

This free workshop is open to all CMN faculty, students and staff, tribal members, and UWEX personnel. Attendees can attend single or multiple sessions or the entire workshop. Learn more and register

Five Native Films You Should Be Streaming in 2017
By Ryan Winn for "Tribal College Journal"

It’d be difficult to argue that the hope expressed in the 2009 film Reel Injun hasn’t begun to take seed. In the closing minutes of that watershed documentary, Native filmmakers and critics were confident that the film industry was on the cusp of a new cinematic horizon. In 2016, one would be hard-pressed to doubt their optimism. At no other time in history have so many Indigenous films graced the silver screen, but it’s the strength of the writing, producing, directing, and acting that gives us true cause to celebrate. Read more

Native Actors Provide Own Brand of Humor in Menominee College Plays
By Ken Luchterhand, Hocak Worak

When the actors in the productions of "N.A.P.S." and "Shinnob Jep" took center stage, it wasn’t about the accolades they might receive. It was more about connecting with the Native American culture and sharing a few laughs that they know best about. Two plays, "N.A.P.S." and "Shinnob Jep," were performed on Wednesday, Dec. 7, at the College of Menominee College in Keshena. A second performance was offered on Friday, Dec. 9, at the Norbert Hill Center in Oneida. Read more

Giving Thanks and Honoring Commitments: AmeriCorps VISTA’s Work with Tribal Nations
By Max Finberg for the Huffington Post

As Americans gather to give thanks, it is a most appropriate time to thank those who were here first - our country’s Native American citizens. We have all heard the stories of the first Thanksgiving with the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag, who, as a sovereign nation within these United States, still reside in Massachusetts as one of 567 federally recognized tribes. We owe each one of them an apology for not honoring our treaty commitments and a debt of gratitude for their hospitality over the centuries since that first feast of thanksgiving in 1621.

AmeriCorps VISTA Member Gregory Gauthier, Jr., is now a few months into his year of service with the College of Menominee Nation’s Sustainable Development Institute, where he is focused on building resilience to climate change. Already, he has developed new communications and technological opportunities for the college to reach audiences around the world, including an international webinar series and a cross-cultural knowledge exchange. Read more

NASA Astronaut Visits Local Schools
Copyright 2016 Scripps Media, Inc.,
Published by NBC 26, Green Bay, WI

Fourteen years ago, Dr. John Herrington had a mission to reach 220 miles above Earth to visit the International Space Station. Now he pursues a different passion, traveling the country to inspire young people to consider careers in (STEM) Science, Technology, Science and Math.

Dr. Herrington says, "We got a lot of problems in this world, and a lot of problems need to be solved. They need to be solved by intelligent, educated science and engineers because these are problems you can't look at and go eh we'll work it out. No, you need to solve the problem." Read more

Using the Humanities as a Gateway for
STEM Engagement
By Ryan Winn, Lisa Bosman, and Kelli Chelberg

The scientific research community has a communication problem. The details of the invaluable role they play in improving the quality of human life are largely unknown to the American public. While most people realize that scientific discoveries lead to a gamut of innovations, how many can name the career fields of the researchers, let alone describe the work those researchers complete? Since many parents and teachers are unsure of the specifics of the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields, it's no wonder that the STEM community has trouble enticing the next generation of would-be-researchers. When was the last time you heard a grade-schooler announce that she aspired to be a mathematician when she grows up? Read more

Tribal College’s Founder Says Farewell
Fowler helped build Menominee higher learning institute
By Lee Pulaski, Shawano Leader

On her last day of work at the College of Menominee Nation, Verna Fowler still carried the weight of providing a quality education to her students.