A community-based participatory research team of COH students and members of the Institute for Indigenous Studies (IIS) attended Gathering of Nations (GON), the largest pow wow in the world in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
The students conducted a knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and behaviors survey in order to understand the COVID-19-related knowledge among members of the American Indian community including safety protocols, vaccinations and the impacts of the pandemic on pregnant persons.
“Working for the Institute at the GON Pow Wow was the experience that solidified my desire to work in anthropology with Native communities," said Anna Erickson ‘24. "While conducting the research and exploring the fairgrounds, I saw brilliant displays of rich and vibrant cultures. Through both conversation and observation, I learned a lot about various world views, how to navigate through cultural differences and how to properly administer over 300 surveys! I am extremely grateful for the opportunity as it has greatly impacted how I think and will progress in my studies and career."
“It was a great opportunity for our students to experience the Native community first-hand in addition to gaining hands-on research experience in the field," said Ryan Goeckner, senior research scientist for IIS. "This was our first large, in-person event since the beginning of the pandemic and it was a huge success. We can't wait to get back out into communities as we (hopefully) move toward the end of the pandemic.”
