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2021 AISES National Conference Wrap-Up

The 2021 American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) National Conference is a wrap. Participants met on September 23 to 25, at the Phoenix Convention Center in Arizona to learn cutting-edge technology and connect with others in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).

Over the three days of the conference, 100 events and activities were held to help participants learn from leaders in STEM fields, make valuable contacts through networking, and experience learning and teaching opportunities when preparing for STEM careers.

More than 2,200 registered attendees were greeted by Master of Ceremonies, Lillian Sparks Robinson, who guided the proceedings at the Opening and Closing Ceremonies. Navajo Nation President Jonathan Nez welcomed participants to Arizona. Nez encouraged students to apply the teachings of their elders in their daily lives as they pursue their academic and career goals in STEM fields. President Nez also acknowledged NASA Mechanical Engineer Aaron Yazzie, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, for his role in the Perseverance rover discoveries on Mars.

Jana Schmieding, known for her breakout role on Peacock's groundbreaking comedy series, Rutherford Falls, was the virtual keynote speaker. Schmieding is an advocate of Indigenous visibility and social justice, and she discussed how she incorporates these issues into her comedy and writing.

“The staff worked hard to plan a safe and worthwhile event, and we were so pleased to see attendance surpass our highest expectations,” said AISES CEO Sarah EchoHawk. Following the opening ceremony EchoHawk delivered the State of AISES address as a streaming and in-person meeting.

Ribbon cutting ceremony by the AISES Board Members and Student Representatives

Tours were held at the General Motors Innovation offices, local Arizona State University campuses, and the Boeing Apache Helicopter facilities where the world's most powerful AH-64E Apache is built.

Two sponsored hackathons brought together experts and students to develop ideas and put their coding skills to work. Our hackathon sponsors, Chevron (pre-college) and Wells Fargo (college) champion the AISES mission, and help students learn essential skills in problem-solving and teamwork.

The Department of the Air Force (comprised of Air Force and Space Force) facilitated a discussion with active-duty personnel who shared their intriguing stories from the field. Jacqueline Melcher, Chief, Installation Management Flight, and Capt. Haida StarEagle – the first Native American Intelligence Officer at Space Force - were among the panel speakers.

AISES Board Member Dr. Wendy Smythe, a geoscientist and oceanographer presented her research on groundwater ecosystems. Dr. Smythe said, “There is an urgent need for culturally relevant science curriculum in the US and Canada, and a greater need to provide training and support for teachers as they develop and implement curriculum in a culturally respectful and ethical way.” Dr. Smythe led a two-part workshop for K-12 educators focused on science curriculum development while in Phoenix.

The mainstay at all AISES events is the esteemed Council of Elders. The elders facilitated several talking circles, in addition to holding one-on-one private consultations in the Elder Lounge. It is here that advice, stories, prayer, fellowship and humor is exchanged.

Sage Cornelius, a talented Native violinist was the Closing Ceremony musical entertainer. Cornelius played a traditional violin and a seven-string electric violin. Cornelius’s catalogue of music embodies multiple genres ranging from classic rock ballads, cinematic movie themes, EDM anthems, acoustic jams, hip hop tributes, and heavy metal head-banging originals.

AISES Student Presenting Research at the College and Career Fair

A highlight of the Closing Ceremony are the Professional of the Year Award presentations that go to Indigenous people in STEM fields. These leaders are recognized for their outstanding achievements in specific categories. Here are the winners,

Professional of the Year - Dr. Crystal Tulley-Cordova (Diné) - Navajo Nation Department of Water Resources
Technical Excellence Award - Aaron Yazzie (Diné) - NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Indigenous Excellence Award - Deborah Tewa (Hopi) - Native Renewables Inc.
Executive Excellence Award - Tobin Beal (Choctaw Nation) - General Motors
Most Promising Engineer or Scientist Award - Dr. Josiah Hester (Native Hawaiian) - Northwestern University
Blazing Flame Award - Leona Anderson (Cherokee Nation) - The Boeing Company

The 2021 AISES National Conference sponsors make our event extraordinary! Our Turquoise Sponsors were Intel, the Boeing Company, and the US Intelligence Community. Coral Sponsors were 3M, Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, Nordstrom, Northrop Grumman, and the US Army Corps of Engineers. Lapis Sponsors includes GM, Merck, National Science Foundation, National Security Agency, Raytheon Technologies, Salesforce, US Department of State, and the USDA. Click here to see a complete list of sponsors.

We encourage you to revisit our national conference in the digital Winds of Change 2021 National Conference Wrap-Up coming out soon! This issue highlights the good people and presenters who are setting up Indigenous STEM leaders for a strong future.

We appreciate and thank everyone who contributed to a successful 2021 AISES National Conference. Mark you calendars for the next AISES family event. We hope to see you at one, or all, of our 2022 gatherings. Be well!

AISES in Canada National Gathering - March 4 to 6 in Vancouver, British Columbia
AISES Leadership Summit - April 3 to 5 in Temecula, California
AISES National Conference - October 6 to 8 in Palm Springs, California

View the 2021 AISES National Conference photos here. To request permission to use event image(s), contact Montoya Whiteman at mwhiteman@aises.org.