1. Lefthand-Begay, C., Purty, T., Carl, S., & Williams, M. (2026). Insights from reflexivity on strengthening water security in Tribal communities through collaborative approaches. Public Humanities, 2, e79. https://doi.org/10.1017/pub.2026.10178

   This reflexive essay examines how collaborative, Indigenous-centered research practices can strengthen water security work in Tribal communities. Drawing on Indigenous Research Methodologies, the article emphasizes relationality, ethical engagement, deep listening, and respect for Tribal sovereignty. It argues that water security research becomes more culturally relevant and sustainable when Indigenous Knowledge Systems are meaningfully integrated with water justice and community-driven approaches.

2. Lefthand-Begay, C., Redmore, L., Armatas, C., Brisbois, C., Choden, K., Craig, D., Baca, A., Martin, J., Ross, M., Lopez-Whiteskunk, R., Lomahquahu, A., & Mills, M. (2025). From paternalism to self-determination: Examining evolving Tribal-federal relationships and co-management arrangements through three case studies. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 12, Article 30. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-024-04122-x

   This article examines Tribal-federal relationships and co-management through three Western U.S. case studies: the Oglala Sioux Tribe, Bears Ears National Monument, and the Snoqualmie Tribe. The authors show how co-management, coalition building, and land reacquisition can support Tribal self-determination while also revealing the ongoing effects of broken treaties and colonial land policies. The article frames shared stewardship as a historically informed practice that must attend to power, trust, sovereignty, and Indigenous land management.

3. Lefthand-Begay, C., Kuhn, N., Purty, T., Campbell, T. R., Sarkar, S., Brisbois, J., Ruhm, R., Choden, K., Rodriguez, A., Ghost Dog, C., Dennison, J. M., Chatto, S., & Guo, R. (2024). Cultivating a space for intergenerational research mentorship through knowledge families. Wicazo Sa Review, 37(1), 1–28. https://doi.org/10.1353/wic.2022.a944279

   This article describes how Directed Research Groups and Knowledge Families can support Indigenous students and allies as emerging researchers. It centers collective, intergenerational, and relationship-based research training rather than individualistic models of academic mentorship. The piece shows how research communities can strengthen student confidence, honor Indigenous ways of knowing, and create supportive pathways into empirical research.

4. Kuhn, N. S., Kuhn, E. J., Vendiola, M. (daniseten), & Lefthand-Begay, C. (2024). Indigenous research ethics and Tribal research review boards in the United States: Examining online presence and themes across online documentation. Research Ethics. https://doi.org/10.1177/17470161241240030

   This study provides a broad analysis of Tribal Research Review Boards across the United States by examining online presence, public documentation, and themes across review materials. The authors identify documents and themes related to Tribal research codes, guidelines, applications, and post-approval processes. The article supports researchers preparing to engage Tribal communities while also emphasizing Tribal sovereignty, community priorities, and protections for citizens, lands, and knowledge systems.

5. Lefthand-Begay, C., Agajanian, T. J., Carbajal, I. A., Duncan, C. M., La Torre, J. C., Littlesun, C. P., McCarty, M., Rose, J. M., Ruhm, R., Sheban, C., Yamane, C. Y. E. W., & Williams, M. (2024). Prioritizing Indigenous Peoples' knowledge in federal decision-making: Insights from faculty, graduate students, and Tribal leaders. AlterNative: An International Journal of Indigenous Peoples, 20(1), 134–145. https://doi.org/10.1177/11771801241235279

   This collaboratively written article responds to federal efforts to incorporate Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge into decision-making. It argues that Indigenous knowledge must be handled respectfully, with attention to sensitivity, consent, benefit, and the risk of misrepresentation or cooptation. The authors emphasize that Indigenous communities must lead decisions about how their knowledge is shared, protected, and used in federal policy contexts.

6. Hayden, M. H., Schramm, P. J., Beard, C. B., Bell, J. E., Bernstein, A. S., Bieniek-Tobasco, A., Cooley, N., Diuk-Wasser, M., Dorsey, M. K., Ebi, K. L., Ernst, K. C., Gorris, M. E., Howe, P. D., Khan, A. S., Lefthand-Begay, C., Maldonado, J., Saha, S., Shafiei, F., Vaidyanathan, A., & Wilhelmi, O. V. (2023). Ch. 15. Human health. In A. R. Crimmins, C. W. Avery, D. R. Easterling, K. E. Kunkel, B. C. Stewart, & T. K. Maycock (Eds.), Fifth National Climate Assessment. U.S. Global Change Research Program. https://doi.org/10.7930/NCA5.2023.CH15

   This National Climate Assessment chapter synthesizes how climate change affects human health across the United States. It addresses health risks connected to heat, air quality, infectious disease, disasters, mental health, and uneven exposure to climate hazards. The chapter also foregrounds equity, adaptation, and the need to understand climate impacts through the experiences of communities facing disproportionate environmental and health burdens.

7. Pool, T. K., Williams, M., McDonald, C., Loderhose, P., Velasco, J., & Lefthand-Begay, C. (2023). Advancing water justice through a tribally-driven partnership: Designing sustainable rainwater harvesting systems in the Yukon–Kuskokwim Delta of Alaska. Frontiers in Water, 5, Article 1061010. https://doi.org/10.3389/frwa.2023.1061010

   This article focuses on a Tribally driven partnership to design sustainable rainwater harvesting systems in Alaska's Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta. It connects household water security, water justice, and community-centered design in a region where infrastructure, climate, and environmental change shape water access. The work emphasizes practical, collaborative approaches that respond to local needs and Tribal priorities.

8. Kuhn, N., Parker, M., & Lefthand-Begay, C. (2020). Indigenous research ethics requirements: An examination of six Tribal Institutional Review Board applications and processes in the United States. Journal of Empirical Research on Human Research Ethics, 15(4), 279–291. https://doi.org/10.1177/1556264620912103

   This article examines six Tribal Institutional Review Board applications and processes to understand how Tribal Nations and organizations define ethical research requirements. It shows how Tribal review processes protect community-wide interests, knowledge systems, sovereignty, and cultural values in addition to individual research participants. The study highlights TIRBs as important governance mechanisms for preventing harm and promoting justice in research with Tribal communities.