During this virtual event Ciarra Greene shared traditional Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) stories and dive into their embedded ecological practices and cultural understandings, exemplifying what has made traditional storytelling a strong force for cultural continuity over the generations. You have the privilege to not only hear her share her storytelling skills but also her memories and perspectives on the power of narrative.

Thanks to our sponsors, The Emily Georges Gottfried Fund, Meyer Memorial Trust, The Collins Foundation, Interfluve, Bonneville Environmental Foundation, and the Lower Columbia River Estuary Partnership.

Speaker Bio:

“The earth is part of my body I belong to the land out of which I came. The Earth is my mother.” (Toohoolhoolzote, Nimiipuu leader)

Ciarra Greene is a citizen of the Nez Perce Tribe. Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) culture and traditions emphasize environmental stewardship and drives Ciarra’s academic, professional, and personal endeavors. She has her BS in Chemistry from Northern Arizona University (2012), where she researched environmental transport and stabilization of uranium on the Navajo Reservation, and completed internships with the Nez Perce Tribe, Dept. of Energy (Hanford), EPA, and Institute of Tribal Environmental Professionals. Ciarra earned her MS degree in Science Teaching at Portland State University (2019), and currently serves on the Nez Perce Tribe General Council Resolutions Committee, is a contractor for curriculum and program development focusing on culture in the STEM fields, and is Native Environmental Science Faculty at Northwest Indian College – Nez Perce. Most recently, Ciarra was elected to the American Geophysical Union Council as the Early Career Scientist Representative (2021 – 2022).