Keynote:
Dr. Michael Yellow Bird

Dr. Michael Yellow Bird, MSW, PhD, an enrolled member of the MHA Nation (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara), is a former Dean and current Professor at the Faculty of Social Work at the University of Manitoba. He is an international thought leader on the effects of colonization, methods of decolonization, Indigenous mindfulness, and the cultural significance of Rez dogs. His scholarship can be found in numerous articles, books, book chapters, and research reports, including his most recent article, Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation Perspectives on Rez Dogs on the Fort Berthold Reservation in North Dakota, U.S.A (2023), and his forthcoming book Rez Dog Meditations.

As a youth, he immersed himself in stories about dogs and by reading books such as Where the Red Fern Grows, Old Yeller, Call of the Wild, The Incredible Journey, Desert Dog, and many others. Over the years, Dr. Yellow Bird has rescued and cared for many Rez dogs and a few Rez horses and cats. The first dog that he rescued and cared for was a Rez pup he named Sam who was known and loved by the entire community. His family currently live with and care for two rescued Rez dogs named Takara (Japanese: meaning treasure) and Cayha (Indonesian: meaning the light). He is currently the Principal Investigator of a project entitled, “Exploring Technology: A Pilot Study on Utilizing AI to Empower Indigenous Youth” which is intended to foster creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills by formulating key questions related to free-roaming dog management and understanding, and to facilitate the use of AI tools and technologies to develop and discuss solutions for caring for and reducing the free-roaming dog population.

Website: Michael Yellow Bird - Faculty of Social Work, University of Manitoba

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ABSTRACT: This presentation will discuss a proposed AI, Indigenous Youth, and Rez Dog project on the Mandan, Hidatsa, Arikara Nation in North Dakota. The project aims at fostering creativity, critical thinking and problem-solving skills by helping youth to formulate key questions related to free-roaming dog management and understanding. The project will facilitate the use of AI tools and technologies to develop and discuss solutions for caring for and reducing the free-roaming dog population. By integrating AI technology with traditional knowledge about Rez Dogs, this program seeks to build skills that support community resilience and innovation for the future of the people and Rez Dogs.