What is AISES?  

The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES), is a “national nonprofit organization focused on substantially increasing the representation of Indigenous peoples of North America and the Pacific Islands in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) studies and careers”. There are over 7,000 members and more than 200 chapters across North America and the Pacific Islands. AISES provides scholarships, mentorship, networking, and career exploration opportunities. Cornell, in my biased opinion, is one of the leading college chapters. Recently we received the Chapter of the Year award in 2023, and the Fundraising Chapter of the year in 2024. We sent 15 students to San Antonio, Texas to attend the 2024 National Conference. At the national conference Cornell students among other things presented research, attended workshops, participated in talking circles, had access to the largest college and career fair in Indian Country, and enjoyed the closing powwow.  

My experiences  

While AISES is dedicated to advancing Indigenous people in STEM, they are very inclusive of Indigenous students in all disciplines. As an Industrial Labor Relations (ILR) major, I have attended three national conferences, three regional, and currently serve in a supportive role on e-board. Majors that are not conventionally included in the Western understanding of STEM, are embraced at AISES because as Indigenous Peoples language is science, art is science, history is science.  

The two main reasons for my participation in AISES are the opportunity they provide to learn new things, and the ability to be in community with my Indigenous peers. One of my absolute favorite things to do is to listen to people speak about something they are passionate about. AISES is filled with people who love to share interesting aspects of their research with others. The second and arguably more important reason why I am so devoted to AISES is the opportunity it provides to build community with my Indigenous peers. The friendships I have made through AISES at Cornell are some of the most important relationships I have in my life. Through the funding that AISES provides I have been able to travel across the country with my best friends. The Indigenous experience at Cornell is anything, but lonely. Having peers persevere through adversity and be successful in spite of commonly experienced generational trauma is truly inspirational.  

Reflection on the 2024 National Conference in San Antonio 

During the first weekend of October, I had the privilege of attending the national conference in San Antonio funded completely by the Cornell AISES Chapter. I attended numerous sessions each day where Indigenous students and professionals presented their research. Some of my favorite sessions were about the effects of poultry farms in the Cherokee Nation, the restoration of rivercane, the use of Indigenous Technologies in conservation efforts in Hawaii, and the integration of Matariki in the New Zealand education system. I was also able to meet admissions officers for grad schools I am looking into at the college and career fair. We spent most of our time when not in a session laughing until we cried and eating delicious Tex-Mex. I was also able to make new Indigenous friends from different colleges. As a senior this conference was bittersweet, while I am excited to come back to AISES as a professional, nothing will compare with the experiences I have had as a Cornell student.