Kimberlee Blevins

Kimberlee is an enrolled member of the Mandan Hidatsa Arikara Nation from the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation; born to the Ciicga Clan, and a descendent of the Hunkpapa Lakota. Her traditional name is Sunlight Woman, given by her great-grandmother, Rose Crow Flies High. Kimberlee’s most cherished roles are being a mother, a daughter, and a student. She is pursuing her Master’s in Environmental Science at Sitting Bull College in North Dakota with a focus on atmospheric science. Her academic path includes a bachelor’s degree in environmental science and research, and two associate degrees in Pre-Engineering and Native American Leadership from United Tribes Technical College. Kimberlee’s career goals are to focus on tribal research for restoration and preservation purposes. Her passion is to serve underrepresented Indigenous Communities with STEM outreach. She hopes to inspire youth to spark an interest in STEM to continue the footwork of indigenous research and decolonize STEM spaces. Kimberlee braids science and mentoring with tribal knowledge. Indigenous youth struggle with STEM; it's hard to start on a path when you can't see it. By seeing the footwork they can begin to go beyond what others have laid down.

Kimberlee teaches the Original Indigenous Scientist. We have been scientists and engineers since our first creation. We may not have called it the scientific method, but we used it. Just as we’re taught about historical trauma in our genes, we have scientific bases built within us. We are scientists and engineers that will make change for our people.

Maa?abáari: Braiding STEM (2024 Storyfest Finalist in the Best Multimedia Story by a Non-Media Student Category)