Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

“Food for Thought” – AISES 33rd Annual National Conference

November 10-12, Minneapolis Convention Center, Minneapolis, MN

(Albuquerque, September 29, 2011) AISES, the American Indian Science and Engineering Society, holds its 33rd annual National Conference November 10-12 at the Minneapolis Convention Center in Minneapolis, MN. Held annually since 1978, this three-day gathering has become known as a “must-do” event for indigenous North Americans in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math), educators, professionals, and diversity recruiters, offering superior opportunities for networking, educational and professional development, research presentations, and celebration, all imbued with cultural significance and support.

This year’s conference theme: Food for Thought is subject to both a literal and a figurative interpretation. Figuratively, Food for Thought connotes intellectual nourishment and spurs new ideas – ways our STEM students and professionals can help respond to the needs and challenges of our community and world, today and tomorrow. Literally, the theme invites a diversity of perspectives on food supply, health, environmental, and resource issues facing our world today.

Not lost in the dialogue is the pertinence of this year’s theme as it relates to the conference host city. Minneapolis (and its Twin sister City, St. Paul) constitutes a major U.S. agricultural hub, with 81,000 farms totaling nearly half of the state’s 54 million acres, and an agriculture and food industry that is the 2nd largest employer in the state.

From biodiversity and innovation to geopolitics and ethics, from tradition and sustainability to health care, food policy, and preservation of traditional foodways, the Food for Thought theme opens the conference to a shared exploration of multiple viewpoints and interpretations. AISES’ partnerships with Native communities, corporations and government agencies will facilitate frank and provocative exchanges.

Highlights are outlined below, and extensive information can be found online at http://www.aises.org/nationalconference.

Learning Opportunities

• Professional Development sessions

• Student research presentations at the pre-college, collegiate, and grad-school level (http://www.aises.org/nationalconference/research)

• Special track for educator professional development

• Student career support with e-lounge and resume room

• Grad school networking and information/awareness sessions

• Concurrent sessions organized by “tracks” (pre-college, college/grad, professional, educator) (http://www.aises.org/nationalconference/agenda)

Career Opportunities

• Networking and mentoring opportunities

American Indian Science and Engineering Society

P.O. Box 9828, Albuquerque, New Mexico 87119-9828

Phone (505) 765-1052 Fax (505) 765-5608 http://www.aises.org

• Largest career fair in Indian Country, with Fortune 100 companies, universities, and nonprofit organizations, many recruiting at the event

AISES Constituent Meetings

• Government Relations Committee (http://www.aises.org/who/grc)

• Corporate Advisory Council (http://www.aises.org/who/cac)

• Exhibitor orientation and roundtable for diversity professionals

• General members’ meeting

• Regional Student Caucus meetings

• Professional Chapter Council meeting

Cultural and Social Events

• Men’s and Women’s Talking Circles

• Session on Sacred Objects

• Social Networking and Dance Contest

• Closing Circle

• Pow Wow

Celebrations

• Opening Ceremony with Keynote Speaker Larry Echo Hawk, Assistant Secretary, Indian Affairs

• Sequoyah Fellows (AISES Lifetime Members) Breakfast

• Honors Banquet with 2011 Professional Awards Program Ceremony

Local volunteers are still sought to assist with the conference. Information can be accessed at the AISES website: (http://www.aises.org/nationalconference/volunteer)

About AISES: Founded in 1977, AISES is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to substantially increase the representation of American Indian and Alaskan Natives in science, technology, engineering and math fields. AISES employs a “full circle of support” model that begins with pre-college programs, progresses into collegiate life, and then into the professional years of members into retirement. It serves an extensive membership network of over 2,900 active members, 13,000 alumni, 1040 Sequoyah (lifetime) Fellows, 173 College Chapters, and 200 Pre-College Affiliates – with over 200 Native Nations represented in all. More information is available at the AISES website: http://www.aises.org.

 

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