Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Indigenous systems of knowledge, knowledge plurality, environmental stewardship, and ethical approaches to braiding Indigenous and Western scientific practices.
Indigenous knowledge • Data sovereignty • Tribal water security
About me
Ya'at'eeh. I am Clarita Lefthand-Begay, MS, Ph.D., an American Indian scholar, educator, and community-engaged researcher. My work is grounded in long-term relationships with Tribal nations, communities, students, and interdisciplinary collaborators.
My scholarship advances health equity, environmental justice, and data sovereignty in partnership with Tribal nations and communities. Community-based research methods and Indigenous research methodologies guide this work, creating pathways for Indigenous voices, knowledge systems, and data governance to shape research, policy, and education.
The goal is research that is useful beyond the page: work that supports self-determination, strengthens governance, builds student capacity, and responds to urgent challenges related to water security, environmental health, climate justice, and data justice.
2026 Summer Research
AIAN AI Journal Club & Collaborative Research Circle
During the Summer of 2026, I will be leading a journal club and collaborative research circle focused on artificial intelligence, ethics, data justice, Indigenous knowledge systems, and Indigenous futures.
This space will be a structured intellectual circle for reading, discussion, reflection, and collective sense-making. In a nutshell, this work asks what Native and Indigenous scholars, students, community members, and collaborators need to understand about AI, and what must be resisted, refused, reclaimed, governed, or reimagined.
The circle is designed as both a research learning space and a foundation for future collaborative scholarship, public writing, and community-facing resources.
AI ethicsData justiceIndigenous futuresRefusal & reclamationCommunity accountability
Research
Areas of Research
My research connects Indigenous knowledge systems, data sovereignty, water security, Indigenous research methodologies, and future-oriented work on technology.
Indigenous Data Sovereignty
Tribal data governance, data justice, Indigenous research ethics, informed consent, Tribal research review, and emerging data landscapes.
Water Security
Water access, water quality, water perception, governance, rainwater harvesting, and the cultural significance of water.
Indigenous Research Methodologies
Research grounded in self-determination, Tribal review, community consent, relationality, and accountability.
Indigenous Futures & Technology
AI, information systems, digital governance, and future-oriented frameworks that support Indigenous communities and students.
Research in practice
Featured research and leadership
Tribal Water Security
Research, convenings, webinars, and community resources focused on water access, water quality, water justice, and Indigenous wellbeing.
AIAN AI Research Circle
A Summer 2026 initiative on AI, ethics, data justice, Indigenous knowledge systems, and Indigenous futures.
CBIKS Pacific Northwest Hub
Leadership supporting ethical research practices, graduate education, Tribal partnerships, water security, and cultural heritage preservation.
Contact
Please contact me regarding research, teaching/mentorship, public engagement, or possible collaborations
For professional inquiries, use my University of Washington email address.