Program Description
Body
Negotiating Rights and Responsibilities with the Kaniataronwanenneh (St. Lawrence) in Akwesasne
Cornwall Public Library, Program rooms 1 & 2 – 6:45 – 7:45 PM
Virtually through Facebook LIVE: (1) Science + Nature: Negotiating Rights & Responsibilities with the Kaniataronwanenneh in Akwesasne | Facebook
Speaker:
Abraham Francis, Founder of the Aronia Collective and PhD Student at Clarkson University
Bio:
Abraham Francis is Kanienkehaka (Akwesasne) from Akwesasne and Deer Clan. He has a BSc in Microbiology, 2014, and MSc in Natural Resources, 2019, from Cornell University. Recently, they became a Ph.D. student at Clarkson University studying Environmental Science and Engineering.
Previously, Abraham was the Environmental Services Manager for the Mohawk Council of Akwesasne. The position allowed him to develop and implement projects inspired and directed by community needs and influenced by his research interests. His research interests are at the intersection of environmental studies, Indigenous methodologies, community engagement, education, health, social services, law, and cultural foundations as a means for empowerment and healing within Indigenous Communities.
He hopes to bring all his research interests and passions together within his dissertation, targeted at creating tools to support other Indigenous Communities to care for their environments from their biocultural contexts. Abrahamhas cultivated their expertise around their research and grown an extensive network of Indigenous Scholars/Knowledge Sharers, and Allies that carry a variety of expertise. Their expertise and network inspired the founding of the Aronia Collective, which seeks to align Indigenous Communities with experts to meet their unique needs and non-Indigenous organization to engage Indigenous peoples meaningfully.