The University of Nevada, Reno’s Department of Gender, Race and Identity will host two upcoming events centered around transforming the outdoors and decolonizing outdoor spaces.
“The theme for our March events is ‘Decolonizing the Outdoors,’ which is part of a broader discussion on transformative visions for health in our community,” Prisca Gayles, assistant professor of GRI and sociology, said. “These events feature Indigenous campus and community experts who have worked hard and continue to be stewards, protectors and defenders of land and water rights in Northern Nevada.”
At 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 8, GRI will host a panel, “Decolonizing the Outdoors,” in the University’s Joe Crowley Student Union Theatre moderated by Debra Harry (Numu, Kooyooe Tukadu) from GRI and featuring Autumn Harry (Numu/Diné) of Kooyooe Pa’a Guides, Jolie Varela (Nüümü/Yokuts) of Indigenous Women Hike, and Beverly Harry (Diné) of Healing Waters Institute.
Additionally, GRI will host a fishing workshop led by Kooyooe Pa’a Guides from 12 to 6 p.m. Saturday, March 11 at Pyramid Lake, Nevada. This workshop has limited space, so attendees are encouraged to register in advance by emailing GRI.
“Kooyooe Pa’a Guides is named after the Numu (Northern Paiute) name for Pyramid Lake, Kooyooe Pa’a Panunadu (Coo-yoo-ee / Pah / Pa-nuh-nah-duh),” according to Kooyooe Pa’a Guides website. “We are an Indigenous Woman-owned and Tribal-owned business approved by the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe to operate as a Fishing Guide Service. Our guide approach is based in education and a lifetime spent living and fishing on the reservation.”
The events are part of a yearlong series funded by the American Council of Learned Societies and organized by GRI that address the broad theme of “Community-Based Knowledges and Visions for Racial, Health and Climate Justice.”
