The Flagstaff Festival of Science is back for its annual fun in the mountains, and this year, we’re exploring the world of traditional food science. Mark your calendars for September 19-28, 2025, as guests enjoy a 10-day, free adventure exploring the environmental, health, and cultural significance of food through the theme “Harvesting Knowledge.”
To kick things off, we are thrilled to welcome Mariah Gladstone, an expert in Indigenous food systems, as our featured keynote speaker. Gladstone, who is Piikuni (Blackfeet) and Tsalagi (Cherokee), holds a degree in Environmental Engineering from Columbia University and is a nationally recognized advocate for food sovereignty and sustainability.
Gladstone will deliver the W. L. Gore & Associates Keynote Presentation at 7 p.m. on Friday, September 19, at Northern Arizona University’s Ardrey Auditorium. In her talk, “Indigenous Food Systems Science: Time-Tested Sustainability, Nutrition, and Ecology,” Gladstone will discuss centuries-old sustainability practices, nutrition and ecology.
“This presentation will touch upon thousands of years of Indigenous place-based science as well as examine practical solutions rooted in the challenges of today,” says Gladstone. Her keynote will explore three core topics:
- Indigenous Science as Ecological Stewardship – Indigenous knowledge systems have long maintained the balance between land, water and food sources, emphasizing sustainable agricultural and ecological practices that promote biodiversity and environmental resilience.
- Nutritional and Cultural Significance of Native Foods – Traditional Indigenous foods are not only nutritionally dense but also deeply tied to cultural identity, health and community well-being. Revitalizing these food systems supports both physical health and cultural continuity.
- Bridging Indigenous and Western Science – Recognizing and integrating Indigenous science with Western research can lead to more holistic solutions for food security, climate adaptation and nutrition, benefiting both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities alike.
These topics will be supported by both peer-reviewed research and Indigenous methodologies-led science.
“We are delighted to host Mariah Gladstone for this year’s Festival Keynote,” says Adam Marsh, President of the Board of Directors. “Her passion for education, the environment, food, and Indigenous perspectives aligns perfectly with our mission to create curiosity and connection in our communities.”
The Flagstaff Festival of Science is the longest-running, free science festival in the country, offering hands-on workshops, presentations, guided hikes, and star-gazing parties that make science accessible and exciting for all ages. Whether you’re a lifelong learner, an aspiring scientist, or just curious about the world around you, this year’s festival promises something for everyone.
About Mariah Gladstone
Mariah Gladstone grew up in Northwest Montana on and near the Blackfeet Reservation. She graduated from Columbia University with a degree in Environmental Engineering and returned home to focus on food advocacy. She founded Indigikitchen, an online cooking platform dedicated to revitalizing and re-imagining Native foods. She later earned a Master’s degree from SUNY-ESF in the Center for Native Peoples and the Environment.
Gladstone has been recognized as a Luce Indigenous Knowledge Fellow by the First Nations Development Institute and as a 2025 Castanea Fellow by the Earth Island Institute. She has shared the importance of reconnecting to traditional foods at events throughout North America and abroad and has been featured on the Today Show, CBC, and numerous podcasts. In addition, she spends her summers on the Blackfeet homelands providing cultural experiences to visitors in and around Glacier National Park.
Her first book, Mountains to Oceans: Kids’ Recipes from Native Land, was released in January 2025.
Stay tuned for the full schedule of events and prepare to join us on a journey of fun discovery! Ticket reservations will open 30 days prior to the Keynote Presentation online.
Board member, Adam Marsh, and lead paleontologist at Petrified National Forest, works with a team of scientists to uncover an approximately 300 million-year-old fossil skeleton discovered at Canyonlands National Park in Utah (June 2024)