Over the last decade or so, non-Native natural resource and environmental management researchers and practitioners have become interested in incorporating Indigenous perspectives into their work. But is that really possible, when many environmental problems that exist today are the legacy of actions taken to “tame the frontier,” and settler colonialism continues to shape relations between Western scholarship and the tribal nations who hold that knowledge

Dr. Lindsey Schneider’s current research focuses on unpacking the ways in which settler colonialism continues to structure relationships with “the environment” and mapping out ways for environmental managers to collaborate with Indigenous communities, rather than just incorporate their knowledge. She is particularly interested in the reintroduction and conservation of endangered species like salmon and buffalo because they are so important to tribal nations, but also figure in settler narratives of belonging.

Dr. Schneider is also deeply invested in land-based education for Native American youth. If we want to live in a world where Indigenous communities can foster environmental health and climate resilience by reasserting their relationships with the land, we have to make sure that our youth are ready to take up that work. Since 2020, Dr. Schneider has worked with the Native community in Fort Collins to run the Indigenous Science Technology Arts and Resilience (ISTAR) program, a partnership with Fort Collins Museum of Discovery that includes a summer camp for Indigenous youth and year-round programming for youth and their families.

Dr. Schneider’s teaching includes courses for the Indigenous Studies minor, like ETST 365 Global Environmental Justice Movements and ETST 342 Queer Indigenous Studies. Beginning in spring of 2024, she will also be teaching ETST 234 Intro to Native American Literature and is excited to introduce students to some of her favorite Native authors in this class.