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Third Blog Post
Content
Content
At the start of my research journey I felt very alone with my passion for the topic of reparations to native communties for the bison massacre; however, as I read more and conduced my qualitative analysis it became clear that there were other people in the world also so passionate about this issue and advocating for change. This realization was very inspiring. If I could keep going in my research I would love to conduct an economic evaluation of the montery value that is owed to native communites as well as I would love to get the chance to talk to native communties affected to get their oppinion on the issue.
Product
Product
By presenting my research presentation and answering the oral defense questions I felt I was able to synthesize my research so it makes sense to the general public which was a skill I was worried about in the lead up to my presentation. I knew that the data I collected was very important and interesting, but intially I had no idea how to make it easily understood by indivviduals who didn't have the same background knowledge of the process that I did. However, as time went on I discovered how to balance sholarship with simplifying my findings and and the end of the day all the panelist of my presentation understood what my research was about. I will take this skill with me for the rest of my life since it will be a skill that I always need.
Process
Process
Through this research process I learned that I am incredibly interested in conducting research and learning about certain historical and ethical issues that require action. This further confirmed my thoughts that this is the general type of things I want to do for a career when I am older. I want to make a differnece in the world and to give a voice to those that in traditional society are often left voiceless without any legal representation. Addiontally, I also learned that I am someone who likes to conduct research more independently. This was evident because I did the bulk of my research outisde of the classroom setting. Throughout college I will make sure to take classes that allow me to hone this skill and make sure I dedicate enough time outside of class to do my work.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
First and foremost, I would like to thank my teachers Mrs. Dobos and Mr. McBride for their endless suport throughout this entire research project. Even though I worked at home which I know might have worried them for my progress every time I met with them they asked questions that challenged my research process and pushed me to dig deeper with my analysis and with the way I formatted my research. They gave me a tremendous amount of support while also allowing me to be independent and I could not have finished my research without them.
I would also like to thank my statistics teacher Mr. Burridge who allowed to bounce ideas off of him and to check that my statistical analysis actually made sense given the nature of my project. Additionally, the skills he equipped me with everyday in statistics class gave me the confidence to go out on my own and teach myself a new statistical analysis test and I will be forever gratefully.
Last, but certainly not least, I want to thank my mom, Rachel. Living in a house with someone that designs research studies and clincal trials for a living initally made me very nervous; however, I had no reason to be. She was my biggest supporter and also my biggest critic which was very helpful at the end of the day. She read through my paper and made endless critiques and allowed me to practice my presentation in front of her every night. I could not have done this without her and when she heard my final presentation loved it and said she was proud had the confidence to present to the panel knowing I had the ultimate seal of approval. I love you so much mom!
Abstract for Final Paper
Abstract for Final Paper
This research examines the role of bison reintroduction to Native lands as a form of reparative justice and ecological restoration. Historically, the near-extinction of bison was closely tied to U.S. colonial expansion and the deliberate disruption of Indigenous food systems, economies, and cultural practices. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative data collected from keyword terms across databases with a qualitative literature review. Quantitative analysis was conducted to compare.Effect sizes were calculated using Cohen’s d to determine the magnitude of differences between groups, providing a more nuanced understanding than basic statistical tests. Qualitative data were coded thematically to identify recurring patterns related to cultural revitalization, food sovereignty, and community empowerment. Overall, this research supports the argument that bison reintroduction extends beyond conservation, functioning as a meaningful form of reparative action. The study contributes to broader discussions on Indigenous-led environmental initiatives and emphasizes the importance of integrating cultural perspectives into ecological policy. Further research is recommended to explore long-term impacts and scalability across diverse Indigenous nations.
For the next step of my academic journey I will be attending Colorado State University. I plan to major in political science with a potential minor in statistics. I will be on an accelerated graduation track and start online classes this summer before I go in person in the fall. After college I hope to go to law school and earn my law degree so that one day I can make a real tangible difference in the world.
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