PLHI’s research agenda is carried out by localized planning that drives, with a Native voice and will, multi-agency, multidisciplinary coordination of large research projects that fulfill Tribal priorities and lead to greater economic independence and ability to conduct research locally.
A central feature of this framework is PLHI’s commitment to young Native scholars as they explore meaningful career paths in health, food and agriculture, and related topics. PLHI sponsors and mentors young researchers as interns within PLHI programming and partner organizations. PLHI hosts on average, 10-16 interns annually, all of whom have gone on to complete high school, obtain professional positions, and/or enroll in graduate school.
PLHI’s research agenda has spanned fields such as health, community health, economic development, food sovereignty, soil science, climate science, and environmental justice.
PIIKANI LODGE - RECENT PEER-REVIEWED PUBLICATIONS:
“Rethinking Indigenous Hunting in National Parks.” Annals of the Assoc. of American Geographers, January 5, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1080/24694452.2024.2440412
“Blackfeet innovation pathways to food sovereignty: sustainability through indigenous-led research partnerships.” Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems. July 2, 2024. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1303408
“The Piikani Well-being Project: Indigenous-led metrics and mapping to improve human and agricultural system health within the Amskapi Piikani Blackfeet Nation.” Sage Journals Environment and Planning. March 10, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1177/26349825231154869
Paul KL, Caplins LB. (2020). Narratives of Injustice: An Investigation of Toxic Dumping within the Blackfeet Nation. Hum Bio 92(1):27-35. https://doi.org10.13110/humanbiology.92.1.04
Conference Presentations and Workshops:
Piikani Lodge Health Institute Estate Planning Workshop. East Glacier, MT, November 14, 2025.
“Piikani Lodge Health Institute: Community Climate Adaptation.” National Tribal and Indigenous Climate Conference, Anchorage, AK September, 2024.
“Rangelands, Soil Health, & Improving Land Access for Tribal Communities.” Salish Kootenai College Regional Climate Symposium Polson, MT Nov 2024.
“Reimagining Land Based Carbon Storage.” Presentation & Panel at Carbon 180 CarbonRemovers Summit Washington, DC October 2024.
Piikani Lodge Presentation & Full Day Field Tour Hosted for Transboundary Grasslands Partnership Workshop Blackfeet Nation and Shelby, MT Oct 2024.
National Intertribal Agriculture Annual Conference Presentation on Piikani Lodge Agriculture Programs. Las Vegas, NV December 2023
