Freeland researches American Indians and climate change

OKMULGEE, OK — Muscogee (Creek) citizen Patrick Freeland attended Haskell Indian University, where he took part in two summer internships that changed his research interest forever.

When Freeland first came to Haskell, he wanted to study alternative energy sources but that was quickly replaced by the issue of climate change in Native American communities.

After graduation, Freeland moved to West Lafayette, Ind., to pursue his Master of Science at Purdue University where he graduated this May from the Ecological Sciences and Engineering Interdisciplinary Graduate Program.

Freeland said Purdue seemed fitting; considering he knew another Muscogee (Creek) citizen who had recently made the transition from Haskell to Purdue.

Before graduating with his Master of Science, Freeland spent the past year researching for his graduate thesis. That is when he realized the need for research and awareness regarding Native Americans and climate change.

“When you look at the amount of published literature about American Indians and climate change, it’s only about a half-inch thick stack of papers,” Freeland said.

While attending Purdue, he was able to receive two prominent fellowships to go toward his thesis research and tuition. He also has had the opportunity to speak at Purdue’s Native Center throughout his graduate career.

“We recently featured a Sterlin Harjo movie,” Freeland said. “People from all over the planet, the only experience they’ve had with American Indians is reading an article about the Redskins mascot. So, we have the chance to talk about culture, point out certain words in the movies and stuff like that.”

Freeland plans to pursue his Ph.D. in Natural Resource Economics, Security and Conservation. In the meantime, he is looking for opportunities to teach on the college level.

“There’s potential to work at Northwest Indian College in Bellingham, Washington, and that’d be nice,” Freeland said. “I also hear Haskell may be hiring soon and that’d be interesting.”

Although Freeland said he is a few years off from receiving his Ph.D., his ultimate goal is to start a family and be productive in society.

“Find a family; support them, and have a good life doing that,” Freeland said. “And do something productive with climate change. You see a lot of people talking about it but few are working on it and actions are the solution.”

He is a member of the Wind Clan, Tallahassee Indian Methodist Church and Big Cussetah Ceremonial Ground.