Indigo Underwood - Masters Student
Hello! I am a settler, transgender MA student (they/them) in the Critical Geographies Research Lab at the University of Victoria on unceded Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̠SÁNEĆ territories. I am interested in identity and how it interacts with perceptions of place/space, especially when it concerns human-plant interactions. My current research explores how forest bioeconomy projects may benefit the ʕaaḥuusʔatḥ (Ahousaht Nation) and how Canadian government approaches to forest bioeconomy differ from the values and approaches stewarded by ʕaḥuusʔatḥ Haw’ił (hereditary Chiefs) and musčim (people). This work was co-developed with the Maaqutusiis Hahoulthee Stewardship Society and takes a relationship-first approach to research.
Research Interests
- Indigenous Methods
- Decolonization
- Feminist Political Ecology
- Queer Ecology
- Restoration Ecology
- Restoration Horticulture
- Horticulture in Underutilized Spaces
- Human-Environment Interactions
Presentations
Underwood, I. (2024). “Government promoted 'resilience': How community dynamics influence land management decisions for a climate impacted future.” Geography Graduate Conference. University of Victoria, Victoria, BC.
Underwood, I. (2018). “Improving Curly-Mesquite (Hilaria belangeri) for Winter-Hardiness and Turf-Type Characteristics.” Poster presented at ASA, CSSA, and SSA International Annual Meetings, Baltimore, MD.
Underwood, I. (2017). “Assessing Curly Mesquitegrass (Hilaria belangeri) for a Low-Water Use Turfgrass in Oklahoma.” Poster presented at the Oklahoma Water Resources Center 2017 Annual Student Water Conference, Stillwater, OK.
Underwood, I. (2017). “Use of Alternative Turfs: Native Alternative for Warm-season Turf.” Oklahoma Grows Conference 2017, Thackerville, OK.
Underwood, I. (2016). “First Year Results of Native Short Grass Mixes for Sod Production.” Poster presented at Oklahoma State University Research Week, Stillwater, OK.
Underwood, I. (2016). Improving Curly Mesquite (Hilaria belangeri) for Turfgrass Use in Oklahoma. Poster presented at ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings, Phoenix, AZ.
Underwood, I. (2016). “Preliminary Results Concerning the Development of Native Warm-Season Turfgrass Mixes for Sod Production in the South Central Great Plains.” ASA, CSSA, and SSSA International Annual Meetings, Phoenix, AZ.
Underwood, I. (2015). “Preliminary Results of Native Short Grass Mixes for Sod Production.” Poster presented at Oklahoma Invasive Species Conference, Norman, OK.
Awards and Honours
2022-23; 2016-17 Chris & Jenny Stiegler Memorial Scholarship
2021-22 Wayne and Jean Huffine Scholarship
2014-16 Bieberdof Horticulture Endowed Scholarship
2015 Pi Alpha Xi Scholarship
2015 Louis P Sumpter Endowed Scholarship
2013-14 Tulsa Garden Club Scholarship