Professional Development Impact Stories

2022 N4WPP Water Symposium

"Thank you to Indian Resource Development (IRD) and additional sponsors for the opportunity to present my research project “Examining the Right-of-Way Process for Indian Allotment Lands Navajo-Gallup Water Supply Project” at the 1st Annual N4WPP Water Symposium on April 23, 2022 in Farmington, NM. There was great interest in my research project from a couple of companies and I was able to discuss with others about how to get additional research funding for my project. In addition, I met three other student poster presenters and learned about each of their research projects. I listened to Dr. Tulley-Cordova give an excellent motivational speech that I found was very beneficial to me. I was most impressed with Navajo Technical University and New Mexico Tech’s Navajo Nation Purification Project (N4WPP), which aims to make a difference in Navajo homes." Bernadette R. (Navajo)

Student standing next to her poster presentation
Bernadette standing next to her poster presentation at the 2022 N4WPP Water Symposium

2021 Reservation Economic Summit

"To sum up my attendance at this year’s Reservation Economic Summit, I walked away feeling more inspired about my future in the tribal economic development field. More importantly, I met with professionals who have become the movers and shakers in Indian Country that I now look up to. A gathering like this, directly related to my field of interest and research, helps me build a clearer and more realistic view of what my career will look like after I graduate from New Mexico State University with my Doctorate of Economic Development degree. At RES, I had the opportunity to meet with representatives from New Mexico Community Capital, Native Women Lead, Native American Bank, tribal council members of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, and several entrepreneurs who own their own businesses. One unexpected takeaway from this conference, which I hope to carry on and pay forward, is recognizing that other students see me and the work that I am doing, and they too become inspired. As a first-generation college student and the first in my family to pursue a doctorate degree, I hope to inspire more students to pursue higher education. With the continued support from IRD and with the opportunity to extend my learning beyond the classroom to a conference like RES, I am grateful." Alisha M. (Navajo)

2021 Workshop: Building Tribal Capacity with Water Research Partners

The New Mexico Water Resources Research Institute invited tribal leaders and water resource personnel, water researchers, and students to participate in the workshop. The goal of the event was for aid participating in further understanding pressing tribal water issues and help to foster future research collaborations that will help build the capacity of tribes, nations, and pueblos within New Mexico.

IRD facilitated one of the workshop sessions which focused on supporting tribal nations in developing their own technical and managerial expertise via internships and research experiences.