Students to Academic Professoriate for American Indians

Joel Adams, SAPAI Scholar
Tribal Affiliation: Salish/Assiniboine
University of Montana
College of Forestry and Conservation
Ecosystem Conservation Science

Joel Adams grew up in Missoula, Montana and is a member of both the Salish and Assiniboine Tribes. He is a Masters student in the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana and is focusing on Ecosystem Conservation Science. Joel is working on his Master’s Thesis, entitled, “The Effect of an insect pathogen on mountain pine beetle, and it’s natural enemies.” As a Native American scientist, Joel has incorporated forest health into his research to help enhance the quality of life on Earth in the future. He wants to pursue a profession that will allow him to apply ecological principles to the management of the Earth’s ecosystems and to explore new and innovative ways of solving problems in our world today. Joel’s future goals include working for the Salish and Kootenai tribal forestry to give back to the community and the lands of his ancestors. As a Native American it is very important to Joel to protect the land that our creator has created, and to make it better for his and future generations. Joel is also interested in encouraging other Native Americans to pursue their education so that they too can help protect and enhance the Earth.

Tony Berthelote, SAPAI Scholar
Tribal Affiliation: Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes
The University of Montana
Geoscience

Antony Berthelote is a Doctoral Student at the University of Montana in the Geoscience Department. He is a member of the confederated Salish, Kootenai and Pend d’Oreille Tribes and speaks both English and Spanish. Antony grew up in Pablo, Montana and is currently working on his doctoral dissertation, which is entitled, “How Groundwater is effected by Dam Removal and River Restoration.” As a Pend d’Oreille Native American with a passion for science and teaching, Antony has studied integrated sciences focusing on obtaining practical experience in the field. He has worked on projects characterizing the Flathead Reservation headwaters, geophysical mapping of an ancient Indian archeological site and hydrogeophysical research on Cochiti Pueblo Indian Lands in New Mexico. His current research on the Milltown Dam Removal is helping to protect public water supplies in a cooperative project with tribal partners. He has had the privilege of teaching Alaska Native American students and was recently invited to instruct local teachers including Salish Kootenai College faculty at the University of Montana Center for Environmental Health Sciences workshop. He has completed grant writing classes and many grant writing and networking workshops. He is well suited to enhance the curriculum offered at any Tribal College and is interested in cultural integrity and endeavors to secure a position at Salish Kootenai College or another Tribal College.

Gilbert Brown, SAPAI Scholar
Tribal Affiliation: Navajo
The University of Arizona
Language, Reading and Culture

Gilbert Brown is from Farmington, New Mexico and is a doctoral student at the University of Arizona. He is a member of the Navajo Tribe and speaks both the English and Navajo languages. Gilbert’s focus at the University is Indigenous Education/Language, Reading and Culture in the Department of Education and is writing his doctoral dissertation proposal on Native American oral traditions and place. Gilbert presently works with middle school Native American students in Tucson Union School District as a project specialist for Native American Studies Department. He has worked for the Native American Student Affairs (NASA) as a retention specialist with freshman students who were in the first year scholars program tutoring, mentoring, and helping the students to adjust socially and academically to the University of Arizona campus life. Gilbert plans to use his dissertation on Native American oral traditions and place to develop an oral traditions course that he will teach to a diverse student population. The curriculum will be culturally based education context topics about cultural identities, sense of place, and Native American oral traditions that will be taught at the elementary, secondary and college level.

Ferlin Clark, SAPAI Scholar
Tribal Affiliation: Diné
The University of Arizona
American Indian Studies

Ferlin Clark lives in Navajo, New Mexico and is a member of the Diné tribe. He is the president of Diné College and speaks both the English and Diné language. Ferlin is a doctoral student at the University of Arizona in the American Indian Studies department and is working on his dissertation proposal on “The Cultural History of Diné College.” Ferlin’s dissertation on the historical events that have led to the development of Diné College (formerly Navajo Community College) will contribute to the scholarship and the American Indian education field in several ways as well as demonstrate his commitment to the Navajo people. Ferlin feels it is an honor to conduct a qualitative study that will share the story of the oldest and largest tribal college. Ferlin has been with Diné College for over 14 years in various capacities including his current role as president, which he has held for five years. Ferlin’s future plans include being involved with tribal college for many years to come and as the creator sees to his purpose in his journey.

Shandin Pete
Tribal Affiliation: Salish/Navajo
The University of Montana
Geoscience
Geology

Shandin Pete is a doctoral student at the University of Montana in the Geoscience/Geology department where he is working on his doctoral dissertation proposal entitled “The effects of channel morphology on the thermal regimes of a gravel bedded river with the implications toward Bull Trout propagation.” Shandon is affiliated with both the Salish and Navajo Indian Tribes and speaks both English and Salish. His home is in Arlee, Montana.

Rachel Smith, SAPAI Scholar
Tribal Affiliation: Rosebud Sioux
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology
Atmospheric Sciences

Rachel Smith grew up in Missoula, Montana and is a member of the Rosebud Sioux tribe. She is a master’s student at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology in the department of Atmospheric Sciences. Rachel is working on her Master’s Thesis entitled, “Field and Satellite based estimates of leaf area index of a recently burned ponderosa pine ecosystem in the Black Hills, South Dakota.” Rachel is currently the Program Leader for the Native American Natural Resources Program (NANRP) in the College of Forestry and Conservation at the University of Montana. She serves as a student advocate, and works on recruitment and retention with Native American forestry and natural resource science undergraduates to assess student needs and challenges. Rachel’s future goals include continuing to advise and encourage Native American students to pursue their advanced degrees in the sciences. She has a special interest in supporting students in the environmental and natural resources sciences and hopes to continue to secure resources for programs to support Native American students in these fields.