Developed in collaboration with Dr. Jeremy Braithwaite, the Indigenous Feminist Evaluation Framework is designed for Tribally-partnered evaluation projects. The framework is rooted in Indigenous feminist principles, emphasizing future-building, broad conceptions of kinship, and inclusive gender perspectives. It seeks to integrate often-overlooked Indigenous feminist viewpoints, ensuring evaluations are not only culturally responsive but also actively support the empowerment and resilience of Indigenous communities.

Much of my research centers on the concept of archival sovereignty, emphasizing the rematriation of Indigenous epistemic resources to their rightful communities. The concept of archival sovereignty challenges the prevalent norms of colonial hoarding by research institutions and advocates for the return of control over Indigenous archives. The research prioritizes the reclamation and self-determination of Indigenous communities in managing their historical and contemporary records. This work has led to the production of scholarly articles and the establishment of community-based programs focused on the retrieval and rightful stewardship of archival materials. By reorienting archival practices, I seek to honor Indigenous perspectives, ensuring their narratives are respectfully preserved and accessible within their own communities.

Many of my ongoing projects highlight Black and Indigenous collaborations around land reclamation and futurity. This work involves interdisciplinary research and collaboration, aiming to tackle environmental challenges faced by BIPOC communities. This project also highlights the importance of traditional ecological knowledge from these communities in creating sustainable practices in research and scholarship​.

My research offers a critical examination of trauma-informed care, questioning its applicability and effectiveness in Indigenous contexts. My work seeks to provide alternative infrastructures for Indigenous well-being that are more aligned with Indigenous epistemologies and practices. This approach underscores the importance of culturally relevant, community-centered frameworks for healing and resilience, moving beyond conventional models to embrace Indigenous perspectives on health and wellness.

Several of my ongoing projects engage with themes of death, dying, and grief, particularly in the context of Indigenous communities. It explores how Indigenous communities understand and approach these experiences, emphasizing the need for culturally sensitive perspectives in discussing and handling matters of mortality. This focus aims to illuminate the unique practices, beliefs, and values surrounding death and grief in Indigenous communities, contributing to a more comprehensive and respectful understanding of these universal human experiences. My research also examines culturally sensitive archival practices, emphasizing the importance of respectfully archiving materials related to Indigenous decedents, advocating for methods that honor Indigenous traditions and perspectives. This aspect of my work highlights the need for a nuanced approach in preserving and presenting records of mortality, ensuring that the practices align with the cultural and spiritual values of Indigenous communities.

Many of my ongoing projects weave together themes of caretaking, critical social work, and anti-carceral Indigenous feminisms. It delves into the concept of caretaking not just as a practice but as a fundamental aspect of Indigenous communities. By integrating Indigenous feminist perspectives, my work critically examines and challenges carceral systems, advocating for approaches that prioritize healing, community support, and restorative justice. This research underscores the importance of culturally grounded, feminist-informed social work practices that align with Indigenous values and systems of care.

One of my most longstanding dearly held research interests is Indigenous language reclamation and Indigenous philosophies of language. Some of my projects explore the critical role of language in maintaining and revitalizing Indigenous resistance movements, emphasizing the importance of reclaiming native languages as a vital aspect of cultural identity and continuity. This work delves into the philosophies underpinning language, examining how linguistic practices are intertwined with Indigenous worldviews and knowledge systems.

Many of my research projects focus on or are informed by basketweaving, not merely as an aesthetic practice, but as a vital process informing various research methodologies and pedagogical approaches. I am engaged in understanding basketweaving as a communal epistemic tool, one that involves intricate, non-verbal forms of haptic knowledge exchange. This area of study reflects my ongoing projects that delve into how tactile and communal experiences in basketweaving contribute to knowledge creation and learning. Personally, as a descendant of Luiseño and Cupeño weavers, I am continuing an ancestral legacy, embracing the responsibilities and wisdom inherited from my ancestors. These projects allow me to explore and honor the sophisticated, often unarticulated wisdom embedded in this traditional craft.