TAMARA J. LAYDEN

My dissertation explores the application of ecological science in supporting Indigenous governance through political ecological, feminist, and decolonial frameworks. My work centers the maintenance and recovery of Indigenous knowledges and land rights through the utilization of relevant ecological tools and practices, as instructed by the local rightsholders. I believe that striving for land and social justice is striving for ecosystem health, an effort that requires interdisciplinary, place-based, and collaborative conservation that positions Indigenous leadership at forefront.