This fellowship will support one fellow who has an interest in food and food systems, environmental justice, indigenous food practices, and a desire to engage in a fulfilling experiential summer undergraduate research project with a faculty mentor and with a local indigenous non-profit.
Food and food systems are at the core of systematic, historical societal injustices that are perpetuated to this day. Indigenous communities, in particular, have experienced the trauma of land dispossession and, due to federally imposed food rations provided to reservations across the US, many indigenous communities have lost connection, exposure, and knowledge of food that used to be foundational to their diet and culture. Inevitably, this disappearance of knowledge has resulted in the broader US population’s ignorance regarding indigenous food. Even more widespread is the lack of appreciation for the ecosystem benefits associated with traditional farming practices, focused on climate-adapted crop varietals. Losing cultural food knowledge does, therefore, lead to loss of ecosystem services that benefit society as a whole. There is a growing recognition of the essential role that indigenous knowledge has on sustainable farming practices, especially in connection to the increasing biodiversity loss and climate change. A food movement is currently taking place, in which indigenous chefs, with the support of their tribal members, work on casting new light on indigenous food.
Among the main objectives of this fellowship are:
The fellow will work under the direct supervision of Professor Cinzia Fissore and will be mentored by tribal biologist Matthew Teutimetz.
The application is due on March 4, 2024. Use this guide to gather your application documents. Request these items two weeks prior to the deadline.
A complete application consists of:
Professor Cinzia Fissore cfissore@whittier.edu
Samantha Abad (2023) Lucia Piner (2023)
