MSU Billings hosts watershed people of Montana and Amazonia series

At Montana State University Billings (MSU Billings), the Watershed People of Montana and Amazonia series has been launched to showcase interdisciplinary collaborations that explore the connections between the two ecosystems. This series will provide an opportunity for members of the community to engage with researchers and Indigenous scholars from both regions.

The series comes in response to the fact that Montana is connected to Amazonia through watersheds, with water from Montana flowing into the Amazon basin. This connection highlights the need for better understanding of the interconnectedness of the two ecosystems.

The series is part of an ongoing effort by MSU Billings to foster interdisciplinary collaborations between faculty, students, and the community in order to explore and better understand the connections between Montana and Amazonia.

The series will feature a variety of events, including lectures, workshops, and panel discussions. These events will bring together Indigenous scholars, researchers, and members of the community to learn more about the two ecosystems and the ways they are interconnected.

The first event in the series was held on February 8th and featured Dr. Juarez Pezzuti, a professor of anthropology at the Federal University of Amazonas in Brazil. Dr. Pezzuti discussed the challenges of interdisciplinary research in the Amazon and Montana and shared his experience of working with Indigenous peoples in both regions.

In addition to the lectures and workshops, the series will also host an Indigenous Knowledge Exchange. This exchange will provide a space for Indigenous scholars from both regions to share their knowledge, stories, and perspectives with one another.

The Watershed People of Montana and Amazonia series is an important step in deepening our understanding of the interconnectedness of these two ecosystems. Through this interdisciplinary collaboration, MSU Billings is helping to build bridges between Montana and Amazonia and providing an opportunity for members of the community to learn more about both regions.