IRD Newsletter - Summer 2022

The Indian Resources Development serves and collaborates with diverse groups of people, and this newsletter attempts to be a resource for all.

Table of Contents

Experiential Learning

In partnership with Navajo Technical University, Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute, Dine College, New Mexico State University, University of New Mexico, San Juan College, New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology, IRD is offering summer internship and research experiences for Native American college students. The experiences present students with real-world examples that relate to their academic studies and contribute to their professional development, giving them opportunities to continue sharpening their critical thinking, communication, research, networking, and problem-solving skills. Examples of this summer’s internship projects include: assisting the Southwest Sustainable Beef project with cattle breed comparison study at Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center; learning about garden and fruit tree orchards, forage variety trials, cover crop weed control and soil health study, and pollinator projects at the Agricultural Science Center at Los Lunas; advancing the science of insect pest control in one of the principle crops in New Mexico at the Applied Economic Entomology Lab at NMSU; and sampling soil under a pivot for carbon sequestration, working on a sediment collection project in and around the Shiprock area with Navajo Nation Environmental Protection Agency and United States Geological Survey. Native American college or high school students interested in internships or research experiences, can contact IRD at ird@nmsu.edu or (575) 646-5617 to inquire about internship and research opportunities.

Image of Ag Science Center at Los Lunas
Photo of Ag. Science Center at Los Lunas


Image of Ag. Science Center at Farmington
Photo of Ag. Science Center at Farmington


Image of Ag. Science Center at Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Centert Photo of Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center

Opportunities for high school and college students, tribal education departments

IRD’s mission is to assist Native American students in New Mexico in becoming agriculturalists, engineers, natural resource and energy scientists, and business people prepared to contribute to the effective development and management of tribal resources. To fulfill its mission, IRD offers information to high school students regarding college and career exploration, including participating in internships, research experiences or college prep and career exploration camps. For college students, IRD offers information about degree options at any college and university in the state, a list of sources of financial aid, and paid internships or research experiences.

For tribal education departments and high schools serving Native American students, IRD offers informational workshops and presentations, and helps identify professionals in agriculture, natural resources, energy, tourism, engineering, and business who could serve as speakers.

For more information about how IRD could be of help to you, visit ird.nmsu.edu or contact us via email at ird@nmsu.edu

Image of Ag Science Center at Los Lunas
Photo of Ag. Science Center at Los Lunas


Image of Ag. Science Center at FarmingtonPhoto of Ag. Science Center at Farmington


Image of Ag. Science Center at Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Centert Photo of Chihuahuan Desert Rangeland Research Center

IRD Strategic Plan 2022

Two of the foundational and operational principles of Indian Resources Development are collaboration and consultation. Collaboration – IRD cannot accomplish its mission alone, so an important focus of the work is to develop and foster collaborations with tribal entities and community members, educational institutions like high schools, colleges and universities, non-profit organizations, businesses, agencies, and other programs. Consultation – IRD does not act based on what it believes it is needed but on what tribal communities, and the students it serves, have stated they need and want. These two reasons, collaboration and consultation are why we would like your input regarding the updated IRD strategic plan. Please share your thoughts with us.

You find the plan at IRD Strategic Plan

Image of SP Cover
Photo of IRD Strategic Plan

Job Announcement: IRD Program Specialist Sr. position

IRD has a position opening for a Program Specialist. This position may be in one of the Northern New Mexico counties. Plan and coordinate the development, implementation, and execution of the tribal, entrepreneurial, and business unit of Indian Resources Development with the objective of supporting tribal nations in New Mexico in developing their own managerial and technical expertise in agriculture, natural resources, clean energy, and business.

For more information, please visit: IRD Job Posting

Image of IRD Job Posting
Photo of IRD Job Posting

Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC) – Introduction of the representative from the Navajo Nation and invitation for new members

Representative for the Navajo Nation: Marvin Murphy

Marvin Murphy is a member of the Navajo Nation, born into the Sagebrush Clan and the Two Waters Flowing Together Clan. Mr. Murphy is from Iyanbito Chapter located near Fort Wingate, NM where his upbringing consisted of raising livestock and respecting the land where he raised his four children.

Mr. Murphy began his interest in Engineering in 1987 when he attended an American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) summer camp at New Mexico State University. He then graduated from Gallup High School in 1998 and attended Northern Arizona University, majoring in Civil Engineering. After a year, he transferred to the University of New Mexico - Gallup where he interned with Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) - Roads Department as an Engineer in Training. After a few years, Mr. Murphy began a Surveying Degree Program at Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute while working as a Civil Engineer Technician in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Once his associates was completed, Mr. Murphy transferred to New Mexico State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Surveying Engineering.

After receiving his Bachelor of Science degree, Mr. Murphy began his own Land Surveying business in 2013. This business allowed him to continue his passion of helping his Navajo People by assisting families and businesses with site leasing surveying services. During the Fall of 2013, Mr. Murphy was selected by the 23rd Navajo Nation Council to serve as a Commissioner for the Navajo Housing Authority. As Commissioner, he advocated for Navajo housing on Capitol Hill.

IRD has three openings on their Tribal Advisory Committee (TAC). The Tribal Advisory Committee consists of tribal representatives appointed by Tribal Nations in New Mexico to advise the IRD program director in establishing operating policies and program priorities. IRD is seeking one tribal representative for the southern pueblos and one for the northern pueblos. IRD is also seeking one tribal representative for Jicarilla Apache Nation. Please contact IRD at ird@nmsu.edu if you are interested in serving as TAC representative for your tribe.