I Hear the
Raven Speak
Indigenous Research in Archaeology
I am in the process of defending my MS at Purdue University in Anthropology/Archaeology.
Kaanaagoot Tlingit Ye'il L'uknax.adi L'ook Hit Yadi
(Raven Coho Clan of the Small Coho House)
and
Anishinaabe Niizh Anakwud Waaswaagoning nindodem Makwa (Ojibwe name is Two Clouds from Lac du Flambeau and my clan is bear.)
My Bio
Passionate Seeker of Knowledge
Tlingit: Kaanaagoot
Ye'il L'uknax.adi L'ook Hit; Yadi Shangunkeidi yádi áyá xát
(Raven Coho Clan of the Small Coho House, Child of Thunderbird Clan)
Anishinaabe
Niizh Anakwud (Two Clouds)
Waaswaagoning nindodem Makwa
(From Lac du Flambeau, my clan is Bear)
Buster is Anishinaabe and a member of the Tlingit Tribe of Alaska. He grew up in Northern Wisconsin on the Lac du Flambeau Chippewa Reservation. He is from the Bear clan and the Raven Coho clan. Buster has an undergraduate degree in Geology from IUPUI, a Master’s degree in Soil Science, and is currently working on an MS in Anthropology / Archaeology at Purdue University. Buster is a Sequoya Fellow of the American Indian Science and Engineering Society and a Sloan Foundation Indigenous Graduate Partnership Scholar. Buster’s work is currently focused on the use and development of fish-catching technology in Southeast Alaska. His research interests are Tlingit and Anishinaabeg lifeways, particularly Ojibwe okeywag (ice-spearing fish decoys), Tlingit art, and experimental archaeology. Buster is currently trying to learn how to make coiled pottery using traditional methods.
Raven and the First Men by Bill Reid (Haida)
Museum of Anthropology at University of British Columbia
Curriculum Vitae
Currently a second year PhD. Student at Purdue University in Archaeology research project is currently focused on fish catching technology use and development in Southeast Alaska. Research interests are the use and development of Indigenous Research paradigms, exploring the technology and science of Tlingit and Anishinaabeg lifeways such as Ojibwe okeywag (fish decoys), Tlingit art, and experimental archaeology.
Education
Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
Master of Science in Soil Science GPA: 3.51 / 4.0
Area of Study: Geomorphology and Glacial Processes
Thesis: Naturally Occurring Acid Sulfate Weathering in Some Glacially Derived Soils of Northwestern Indiana and the Environmental Implications.
Courses taken: Topics in Geocognition, Communication with the Public, Responsible Conduct in Research, Integrating
Science and Native American Culture, Soil Genesis and Classification, Soil Classification, Genesis, and Survey, Glacial Sediments, Clay Mineralogy, Soil Physics, Soil Chemistry, Remote Sensing
Publication
Darrell G. Schulze, Nils C. Landin, Phillip R. Owens, James J. Camberato; Department of Agronomy, Purdue University, W. Lafayette, IN 47906, United States; (2017); Evidence for a naturally occurring post-glacial acid sulfate weathering event in northwestern Indiana, USA; Geoderma 308, 341–349
Education
Indiana University – Purdue University Indianapolis, Indianapolis, Indiana
Bachelor of Arts in Geology Minor: Environmental Science GPA: 3.2 / 4.0
Courses taken include: American Business Enterprises, Organization and Management, Personnel Management, Introduction to Marketing, Environmental Site Assessment, Geologic Mapping and Field Methods, Principles of Geomorphology, Principles of Hydrology, Advanced Geographic Information Systems, Environmental Health, Aquatic Ecosystems, Solid and Hazardous Waste Management, Techniques of Environmental Science
Position
Research Assistant: Purdue University; West Lafayette, Indiana;
Contributions:
• Gathered GIS data to create geodatabase to model paleo-shoreline and paleo-stream channel positions to increase ability to find older unknown fish weir locations.
• Created spreadsheet of fish weirs and early human habitation sites containing radiometric dates.
Position
Teacher Assistant ANTH 379 Native American Cultures: Purdue University; West Lafayette, Indiana;
Contributions:
• Created quizzes and lectures for course.
• Researched films for in class use approximately half are currently films I suggested.
• Shared information with class on Native American cultures
• Answered questions.
• Graded quizzes and book reports.
Position
Emergency Management Director: Sauk – Suiattle Indian Tribe; Darrington, Washington;
Contributions:
• Developed partnerships and working relationships with local, county, Tribal, statewide, and federal emergency management agencies as well as NGO’s.
• Emergency Management Training: ICS 100, 200, 300, 400, NIMS 700, NRF 800, I907 Active Shooter, G290 Basic Public Information Officer, ArcGIS for Emergency Managers, Emergency Management for Tribal Governments, Mitigation for Tribal Governments, Climate Adaptation Planning for Emergency Managers, G191 ICS/EOC interface, IS-702 Public Information Systems, Social Media for Natural Disaster Response and Recovery, Hazardous Weather for Campuses, AWR-331 Winter Weather Hazards Science and Preparedness, G557 Rapid Needs Assessment, IED Construction and Classification, Introduction to the Terrorist Attack Cycle, Disrupting the Terrorist Attack Cycle.
• Successfully completed the Emergency Management Institute’s National Emergency Management Basic Academy
• Prepared Strategic Plan
• Planned and held community outreach events.
• Developed culturally relevant preparedness materials for community outreach events
• Developed emergency preparedness training plans for tribal employees.
• Developing Tribal mitigation plan
• Helped obtain approximately $70,000 of grant funding
• Developing a resilient tribal community
• Designed and developed evacuation routes
Position
Program Coordinator: Sharing the Land Program; Purdue University; West Lafayette, Indiana;
Contributions:
• Created lesson plans, planned curriculum for students in earth and environmental sciences
• Organized and lead field trips
• Assisted in the design and construction of research schema to evaluate geoscience education strategies and teaching techniques
• Collected research data
• Evaluated and categorized collected research data
• Encouraged students to develop a positive relationship between themselves, their cultural heritage, and science
• Designed program and lessons to increase interest in post-secondary education
Position
American Indian Special Emphasis Program Manager: USDA – Natural Resources Conservation Service; Indianapolis, Indiana
Contributions:
• Developed training materials and presentations relating to American Indians
• Conducted training for staff on American Indian cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Conducted multicultural training for employees
• Assisted planning national training conference and annual meeting for multicultural attendees
• Collaborated with other special emphasis program managers to plan trainings, conferences, and meetings
• Committee member of Indiana USDA-NRCS Civil Rights Committee
• Member of National Recruitment Cadre for American Indian and Alaska Natives
Stakeholder, Client, Partner, Collaboration, and Relationship Development Experiences
• Built partnerships with Tribes throughout Washington State, Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management, Skagit County Department of Emergency Management, local fire department, and Washington State Emergency Management Department
• Developed and implemented MOU's with county and local fire department for services and communications.
• Western Washington small tribes’ alternate representative on Washington State's Emergency Management Advisory Group
• Provide informational materials and encouraged community involvement and community participation in emergency preparedness programs and education.
• Provide training opportunities for community stakeholders and staff.
• Created Threat and Hazard Identification and Risk Assessment report for community.
• Developed partnership with Washington Department of Health and obtained grant funding for
• Collaborated with local jurisdictions to inventory resources.
Group Leadership Experience
• Developed and planned earth science field trips
• Guided group development using team building exercises utilizing the group dynamics paradigm
• Planned and guided hiking trips for youth groups through portions of Wisconsin and Michigan
• Organized and guided canoeing trips for groups in Michigan and Wisconsin
• Led groups through high ropes challenge courses while maintaining safety
• Challenge / ropes course supervisor
• Organized and guided science poster sessions for students
• Member of AISES regional meeting planning committee Member of Indiana NRCS civil rights committee
• Elected Midwest Regional Member of National Council for the American Indian Alaska Native NRCS Employees Association
• American Indian Alaska Native NRCS Employees Association Annual meeting planning committee
• Oversight coworkers, contractors, and subcontractors in multiphase construction, excavation, and demolition of work sites
Teaching Experiences
• Developed course materials for undergraduate course.
• Developed and presented lectures to undergraduates.
• Developed and planned curriculum in earth and environmental sciences
• Led instruction in environmental and earth sciences
• Created and developed guidebook about the geology and Indigenous peoples of New Mexico for class trip
• Led hands on rediscovery laboratories in Native American technology: flint knapping, atlatl construction, and clay pottery
• Developed geology guidebook of Lake Tahoe area basin and Sierra Nevada region
• Led classes in Topics in Geocognition
• Created class materials and guidebooks on the geology of San Diego and surrounding area
• Led class sessions in Integrating Science and American Indian Culture Conduct and guide science poster sessions for students.
Training Experiences
• Trained new hires in the use of programs and computers to perform digital map finishing duties.
• Developed training materials for proper cartographic placement of text and labels for NRCS soil maps
• Instructed new hires and interns in field techniques of environmental sampling of soil and water
• Developed and led training of employees about American Indian cultural awareness
Technical Skills
• Skilled at map reading, soil texturing, determining soil type, and soil landscape position
• Able to operate PANalytical X’Pert x-ray diffraction system and related software
• Able to collect and prepare soil and water samples for various laboratory analysis
• Able to interpret geologic maps
• Deep understanding of the geology, geomorphology, and glacial history of Indiana and Wisconsin
• Create and implement Earth and environmental science lessons
• Microsoft Office (Access, Excell, Outlook, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word)
• ArcMap
• Adobe Acrobat
Awards and Honors
• Alfred P. Sloan Foundation American Indian Graduate Program Scholar
• AISES Graduate Student Poster Presentation Awards
• Society for the Advancement of Hispanic/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) Travel Scholarship
• American Indian –Alaska Native Employees Association for NRCS Leadership award
• 2020 The Black Trowel Collective Microgrant
Memberships
• American Indian Science and Engineering Society – Sequoyah Fellow
• Society for American Archaeology
• Alaska Anthropological Association
Community Involvement and Volunteering
• Vice-Chairperson on the American Indian Center of Indiana
• Volunteer runner for Back on My Feet program at Hoosier Veterans Assistance Foundations Manchester Residential Employment and Substance Abuse Treatment (R.E.S.T.) Program
• Appointed as a Member of the Indiana Governor's committee for American Indian Affairs
• Founding Member and Vice President of Purdue University's American Indian Science and Engineering Society Chapter
• Team Leader American Heart Association run/walk
• Pancreatic Cancer Action Network run participant
• National MS Society Muck Fest participant