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A $500,000 grant from the Mellon Foundation has been awarded to Lawrence University for a collaborative project with the College of Menominee Nation (CMN) focusing on environmental justice in the Fox-Wolf Watershed. This three-year initiative will include an Indigenous-led residency program, community-engaged courses, faculty exchange and collaboration, and experiential learning opportunities for students.

Sigma Colón, assistant professor of environmental studies and ethnic studies at Lawrence, expressed enthusiasm about the project: “I’m excited for the opportunity to not only expand our knowledge and teaching about environmental justice issues in our community but to also work to improve the health of our shared ecology.” The collaboration aims to build a mutually beneficial relationship between Lawrence and CMN.

The project was developed by Colón along with Gregory Hitch, assistant professor of environmental studies; Claire Kervin, assistant professor of English and director of fellowships advising; Peter Blitstein, Lawrence’s provost and dean of faculty; and Jennifer Gauthier, director of the Sustainable Development Institute at CMN.

Lawrence University has been expanding its focus on water-related themes through its First-Year Studies program and partnerships with Indigenous tribes. Conversations about collaboration with CMN began six years ago. In 2022, Hitch joined Lawrence as a postdoctoral fellow in the humanities. He introduced courses such as Indigenous Ecology: Ancestral Knowledges and Science in Action. By Fall 2024, he became an assistant professor of environmental studies.

Hitch highlighted the significance of the grant: “We are so excited to have this vital work recognized and supported by the Mellon Foundation. This grant signifies just the beginning of a strong and reciprocal partnership between the College of Menominee Nation and Lawrence University.”

Kervin noted that activities funded by the grant will foster a lasting partnership centered on the health of the Fox and Wolf rivers. “I am excited about the innovations that the grant will make possible,” she said.

The collaboration seeks to address historical and contemporary environmental injustices affecting both institutions' communities. The authors pledged to study these issues while promoting sustainability in response to challenges like deforestation, river damming, pollution from nonpoint sources, and threats from proposed mining projects.

Colón emphasized centering Indigenous perspectives: “As we expand our environmental justice research... it’s important to center issues that impact the Menominee Nation.”

The College of Menominee Nation recently celebrated its 30th anniversary as a Land Grant institution focused on integrating Indigenous culture into education while preparing students for leadership roles with an emphasis on sustainability.