Welcome to the Earth Summit 2025! Hosted by WETCC Extension and the USDA
We will be going live from our YouTube channel both days of the event!
Click Here to Subscribe to our YouTube to watch the event live!
Register for our event through the link listed below!
Nitrate testing of well water will occur both days of the summit. See water collection instructions at the end of the agenda.
A limited number of arsenic, lead and bacteria test kits will be available.
NOTICE: ONGOING CONSTRUCTION
Please be advised that construction work is currently taking place in and around the event area. While we are making every effort to minimize disruption, you may experience some noise or restricted access in certain locations. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and patience during this time. For your safety, please obey all posted signage and avoid entering marked construction zones.
Thank you for your cooperation,
White Earth Tribal and Community College
About This Event
In 2024, White Earth Tribal and Community College (WETCC) hosted its first Water Summit. Based on attendee feedback, the scope of future summits needed to be broadened. Therefore, this year, the summit will encompass earth, air, fire, and water and has been renamed, “Earth Summit.”
Earth Summit 2025 is divided into two parts; the first will focus on issues related to the well-being of the earth on and around the White Earth Indian Reservation, while the second will highlight efforts to solve or remediate the impacts of the industrialization of the Reservation landscape and the ceded lands around the Reservation.
Earth Summit 2025 strives to incorporate science and research-based information, as well as the Ojibwe ways of addressing the issues we all face. Presenters will come from both the Native and non-Native communities. Some sessions will be organizational or institutional in origin, while others will be community-based.
At the end of the two days, everyone should walk away with a better understanding of the environmental challenges we all face, as well as how to overcome that which disrupts the critical life cycles of Earth.
Agenda for Earth Summit
AKI – GIIZHIG – ISHKODE – NIBI
May 28, 29, 2025
WHITE EARTH TRIBAL AND COMMUNITY COLLEGE Mahnomen, MN
Nitrate Testing of well water will be ongoing for the duration of the Summit. A limited number of arsenic, lead and bacteria test kits will be available.
All presentations will be in the Drum Hall
May 28
11:00 – 11:45 AM Opening Ceremony Biidaabanikwe Kim Anderson
11:45 – 12:15 Welcoming and Opening Remarks Anna Sheppard President of White Earth Tribal and Community College
12:15 – 100 – Lunch Poster Room
1:00 - 1:45 Baaga’adowewin (Ojibwe Lacrosse) outside of library and Yogachigedaa (Yoga) Elizabeth Strong outside or a classroom to be determined
1:45 – 2:45 Invited speaker Peg Furshong, CURE
2:45 – 3:00 Afternoon break - Poster Room
3:00 – 4:15 University of Minnesota - Protecting Minnesota’s Headwaters of the Mississippi/Pineland Sands
- Jessica Johnson, White Earth Nation – Panel introduction and Moderator
- Joe Magner is a research professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota.
- Philip Margarit is a doctorate candidate and research assistant at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on groundwater and inverse modeling. (via Zoom)
- Leslie Ludtke is a master’s student in the Water Resources Science graduate program at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, working under Dr. Joe Magner.
4:15 – 4:30 Announcements and Closing of Day One
May 29
8:30 Refreshments Drum Hall and Poster Room
9:00 – 9:15 Opening and Housekeeping
9:15 – 10:30 Conserving the Lands and Waters on which all life depends – The Nature Conservancy of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota
Kristen Blann, Fresh Water Ecologist, Panel introduction and Moderator - The Nature Conservancy in MN, ND, SD
Peter Mead - Agriculture Project Manager, The Nature Conservancy in MN, ND, SD | Nurturing Roots: Soil Health & Watershed Resiliency
Tyler Carlson – Agroforestry Outreach and Education Specialist, The Nature Conservancy in MN, ND, SD | Regenerative Grazing, Silvopasture, and Reforestation
Travis Issendorf, Agassiz Beach Ridges Prairie Recovery Specialist and Calla Olson, Tallgrass Aspen Parklands Field Steward, The Nature Conservancy in MN, ND, SD [Fire weather dependent]: | Conserving Native Prairie at a Landscape scale: 15 Years of implementing the MN Prairie plan
10:30 – 10:45 Morning break - Poster Room
10:45 – 12:00 University of Minnesota - Groundwater Pathways to Manoomin: Phase 2
Dr Mae Davenport - Panel introduction and Moderator Mae Davenport is a professor of environmental social scientist in the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Dr. Amelia (Emily) Kreiter is a researcher in the Center for Changing Landscapes at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.
Amelia Olson is an Earth and Environmental Science master’s student working with Dr. Cara Santelli at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
Shauna Capron is a Water Resources Science master’s student conducting research with Dr. Crystal Ng in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
12:00 – 12:45 Lunch Poster Room and Drum Hall
12:45 – 1:30 Baaga’adowewin (Ojibwe Lacrosse) outside of library and Yogachigedaa (Yoga) Elizabeth Strong outside or a classroom to be determined
1:30 – 2:30 Invited Speaker James Vukelich The Seven Grandfather Teachings 'We Are All Related.
2:30 – 2:45 Afternoon break - Poster Room
2:45 – 4:00 Indigenous Language, Culture and History in Support of Anishinaabeg Eco-cultural Pathways Restoration
Elizabeth Strong, Red Lake Nation - Panel introduction and Moderator
Kim Anderson, White Earth Nation – Clan and ceremonial connection to the land and water.
Audrianna Goodwin, Red Lake Nation – The Colonization and Industrialization of the Anishinaabe Landscape
James Vukelich, Turtle Mountain Nation - How the Language through grammar and relative terms shows a perspective of our traditional and historic relationship with the environment.
4:00 – 4:30 Talk Back Drum Hall - Guests are invited to give responses and feedback to the Summit.
4:30 – Closing
Nitrate Sampling Instructions:
1.) Allow the cold water to run for 5-10 minutes to flush out any stagnant water from pipes.
2.) Collect a sample of about one cup of water in a clean, double-bagged plastic bag or jar.
3.) Keep the sample cool until you bring it in for testing.
The sample should be taken within 24 hours of being tested.
Earth Summit Presenters
Peg Furshong is the Director of Constituent Relations and Special Projects at CURE. Over the years, Peg has worn many administrative hats, currently she is working on constituent engagement, leading the water work under the Natural & Working Lands Program and organizing in work around the carbon pipeline resistance. Peg focuses on building relationships with members and providing educational and experiential opportunities. She was instrumental in the development of the Connecting People with the Outdoors Program through CURE’s signature programs which included the biannual Tallgrass Prairie BioBlitz and the Freshwater Mussel Field Days.
James Vukelich Kaagegaabaw, a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe, is a renowned international speaker, author and digital creator. He is known on Instagram and Facebook for his series of short videos on indigenous language and culture and is the author of The Seven Generations and the Seven Grandfather Teachings. His keen insights were developed through speaking with and recording elders and Native language speakers across North America as part of the Ojibwe Language Dictionary Project. James is a passionate advocate for sharing how to live a life of mino-bimaadiziwin – the good life. For over twenty years, he has facilitated community language tables,worked as an educator from pre-k to university levels, consulted with public and private organizations on language and cultural programs, and traveled internationally as a keynote speaker. He has been featured in numerous publications, podcasts, and radio & television programs. James lives in the Twin Cities, Minnesota with his wife and son.
University Of Minnesota Speakers
Dr. Mae Davenport is a professor and environmental social scientist in the Department of Forest Resources at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She also directs the Center for Changing Landscapes. Her teaching and research focus on (1) individual and cultural environmental values, beliefs, and behaviors and (2) environmental planning and policy. Her research program aims to center communities in water protection, climate resilience, and environmental justice. Over the past seven years, Mae has worked in partnership with tribal natural resource managers and educators in present-day Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Montana to respect tribal sovereignty, conduct responsible research, and protect water and Manoomin (wild rice/Psiη).
Dr. Amelia (Emily) Kreiter is a researcher in the Center for Changing Landscapes at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She has worked on a diverse range of research projects exploring attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors surrounding natural resources in urban areas, tribal lands, and agricultural lands, with a special focus on water resource protection.
Amelia Olsen is an Earth and Environmental Science master’s student working with Dr. Cara Santelli at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She is studying the impacts of agricultural chemicals on the water quality of ricing lakes. Her work is focused on the fate and transport of pesticides and nutrients in the Otter Tail River Watershed.
Shauna Capron is a Water Resources Science master’s student conducting research with Dr. Crystal Ng in the Department of Earth & Environmental Sciences at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Her research examines how land use and other environmental factors are related to water quality and the transport of agricultural pollutants to Manoomin waters within the Otter Tail River Watershed. Her background is in water quality monitoring, invasive species management, and watershed management
Joseph (Joe) Magner, Research Professor, University of Minnesota Department of Bioproducts & Biosystems Engineering. Joe Magner is a research professor in the Department of Bioproducts and Biosystems Engineering at the University of Minnesota. From 1981 to 2013, Joe served the people of Minnesota at the Pollution Control Agency. As a hydrologist and research scientist, Joe led dozens of projects that developed and provided tools, guidance, modeling approaches and research findings, which have been instrumental in establishing multiple programs.
Philip (Phil) Margarit, Water Resources Science PhD Candidate, University of Minnesota, College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources Science. Philip Margarit is a doctorate candidate and research assistant at the University of Minnesota. His research focuses on groundwater and inverse modeling. He is responsible for the groundwater modeling work on the Pineland Sands study under the supervision of Dr. John Nieber. He has been involved in past model and field research projects in both southeastern Minnesota and the Lower Minnesota River Watershed District. Phil has additionally served on the Minnesota Groundwater Association White Paper Committee. His expected graduation date is Summer 2025.
Leslie Ludtke, Graduate Research Assistant (Master’s student), University of Minnesota, College of Food, Agriculture, and Natural Resources. Leslie Ludtke is a master’s student in the Water Resources Science graduate program at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities, working under Dr. Joe Magner. She began her work on the Pinelands Project by supporting the implementation of its fieldwork component and has since contributed to both the surface and groundwater modeling efforts. Her research experience spans a broad range of topics across Minnesota, including soil health, long-term lake monitoring, along with surface and groundwater modeling. She is currently studying chloride transport processes in two urban watersheds in the Twin Cities metro area and plans to graduate at the end of 2025.
The Nature Conservancy
Soil, Water, Fire, Climate: Landscape & Watershed Restoration efforts of The Nature Conservancy and Partners in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota Speakers
Kristen Blann (M.S., PhD) is Lead Freshwater Ecologist. For nearly two decades, Kristen Blann has provided technical leadership for freshwater and watershed conservation planning at TNC. She is currently working on conservation and climate adaptation partnerships for wild rice (Manoomin/Psiη), science and strategy for peatlands as a Natural Climate Solution, as well as science and conservation strategies for freshwater biodiversity in Minnesota and the Dakotas. She lives with her husband in north central Minnesota on a small farm raising sheep, eggs, and organic vegetables.
Peter Mead, Agriculture Project Manager leads the Soil Health and Agriculture work. As former District Administrator of Becker County SWCD, Peter has been active in One Water One Plan watershed planning, including being recognized in 2017 by the Minnesota Association of Watershed Districts as the 2017 Outstanding Soil and Water Conservation District Employee.
Tyler Carlson, Silvopasture and Agroforestry Lead is leading agroforestry, woodlands restoration, prescribed fire, and regenerative grazing efforts to maintain continuous perennial cover, restore soil health and carbon, while providing income to producers. As owner of Early Boots Farm near Sauk Centre, MN, Tyler and his family are demonstrating silvopasture techniques to raise lowline angus cattle. Tyler has also been active with and employed by the Sustainable Farming Association.
Travis Issendorf, Agassiz Beach Ridges’ Prairie Recovery Specialist (Detroit Lakes, MN). Travis has been with TNC for over 13 years working with the Prairie Recovery Program, focusing on grassland restoration and management of lands acquired through the Outdoor Heritage Fund. The Prairie Recovery Program also supports our partners’ work through assisting with grassland management projects on state and federal lands, via private vendor contracts and seasonal staffing oversight.
Calla Olson, Field Steward for the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands office (Karlstad, MN). Calla was previously with the Tallgrass Aspen Parklands office from 2017-2019 and recently returned after pursuing a PhD focused on the ecological and human history of the tallgrass aspen parkland landscape. Calla’s focus is grassland and oak savanna restoration and land stewardship of both Nature Conservancy and state lands, done in close partnership with the MN DNR. She is currently working on multiple scientific monitoring projects to enhance adaptive management, as well as building and improving relationships with sovereign nations who maintain treaty rights within the tallgrass aspen parkland landscape.
Other Speakers
Anangikwe indigo, Elizabeth Strong is from the Red Lake Nation. She has been practicing yoga for almost 20 years, more seriously in the last 6 years, receiving her 200 hr teacher certification in 2020. She enjoys practicing and sharing the practice as it connects mind/body/spirit. She teaches in different styles, including restorative yoga, modified/chair yoga, vinyasa (flow) yoga, youth yoga, mindfulness & breathwork, yoga for recovery/addiction, among other styles and specialties. In each session she engages students in breathing exercises, connection, movement, and often weaves in Anishinaabe teachings into the traditional eastern practice of yoga. She’s previously worked in Mental Health, Community Development, and Ojibwe Language/Cultural Revitalization.
Biidaabanikwe, Kim Anderson is an enrolled member of the White Earth Band of Ojibwe and resides on the White Earth Reservation. She has spent most of her career teaching the Ojibwe language, culture and history at various levels such as elementary school, secondary schools, college and community events and has taught in an immersion setting for 6 years. Biidaabanikwe is a proficient second language learner of the Ojibwe language and is also a mother of two, a volunteer firefighter, a track and field coach, an active board member of the Niibi Center and a licensed elementary teacher. She is currently working on her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota - Twin Cities. She participates in many traditional ceremonies and is called upon to have a leadership role in some of those ceremonies.
Audrianna Goodwin is a citizen of the Red Lake Nation and has her Masters of Public Policy from the Humphrey School of Public Affairs.
Jessica Johnson, Director of White Earth Natural Resources, White Earth Nation enrolled member and life long reservation resident. Jessica is in her 22nd year working for White Earth RBC, and has been with WE Natural Resources for 6 years, and the Director since October 2024. Jessica's background is finance and business management, but has enjoyed learning about Natural Resources and is committed to making a difference in her community working toward resource protection and knowledge sharing.
Event is Sponsored by The Community Extension of the White Earth Tribal and Community College with generous support from The Nature Conservancy and Ganawenindidaa
