AISES Releases Two New Public Service Announcements

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) Announces the Release of Two New Public Service Announcements: Traditional Knowledge – New Ideas – A Better World

Albuquerque, NM. May 3, 2016 - The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) today announced the release of two new public service announcements (PSAs). AISES produced the PSAs in an effort to educate the public about the importance of its mission to "increase the representation of American Indians, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, First Nations, Pacific Islanders and indigenous peoples of North America in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) studies and careers.”

The PSAs were funded by the generous support of the Comcast Foundation. The Foundation also committed to providing $1.5 million in airtime in 2016 to air the PSAs. The tagline for the announcements reads, "Traditional Knowledge – New Ideas – A Better World.” As AISES CEO, Sarah EchoHawk explains, "The PSAs are designed to convey how, through our work at AISES, intergenerational traditional Native American cultural knowledge is woven together with new ideas to generate innovative technology, ideas and people that create a better world for everyone. By supporting AISES, you are supporting a better world for all of us.”

One of the PSAs features Dr. John B. Herrington, the world’s first tribally enrolled Native American astronaut. Dr. Herrington’s historic STS-113 mission in 2002 lasted 14 days. "The STS-113 crew and the Expedition Six crew combined to install the new P1 truss to the International Space Station, perform[ed] three spacewalks to outfit and activate the truss, and transfer[ed] supplies and equipment between the two spacecraft. Endeavour brought more than 2,500 pounds of material to the station.”

"Dr. Herrington’s remarkable story demonstrates what is possible for Native American students if they are provided financial resources and other critical support,” said EchoHawk. "We are honored by his continued to commitment to inspiring AISES students to reach for and achieve their dreams. Upon meeting Dr. Herrington, students truly believe that anything is possible.”

"AISES is a key component,” says Herrington "in the effort to motivate and encourage Native American students to pursue their dreams in the STEM fields. It is my honor to support AISES in their public outreach.”

The second PSA highlights the possibilities and opportunities available to American Indian students interested in pursuing careers in the health and medical fields. University of New Mexico student, Aspen Johnson appears in the PSA explaining her interest in medical research and the impact of AISES. Additionally, one of AISES’ newest partners, Boston Scientific, provided in-kind support during the PSA production. In addition to the in-kind support, Boston Scientific’s Vice President for Human Resources & Global Chief Diversity Officer, Camille Chang Gilmore, appears in the PSA.

"It is very exciting to have a new corporate partner with a focus on health and medical research and technology given that we know there are number of career opportunities in those fields for AISES students,” noted EchoHawk.

The majority of the filming occurred at the University of New Mexico (UNM), Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI), and the Hyatt Tamaya Resort at Santa Ana Pueblo. "We are truly indebted to the institutions who supported the production of the PSAs and to the Comcast Foundation for its most generous contribution. Comcast is an amazing example of how corporate America can support American Indians toward brighter futures that will benefit not just American Indians but our nation as whole,” said Sarah EchoHawk, AISES CEO. 

The new PSAs will air primarily in May, November and December of 2016 across multiple channels and can also be viewed by visiting the AISES website at www.aises.org and clicking on the banner displayed on the homepage. 

CONTACT: 
Lisa Paz, Director of Membership and Communications
lpaz@aises.org / www.aises.org 
Direct link to PSAs: http://www.aises.org/support