Tanikwah Lang is a citizen of the Klamath Tribes of southern Oregon, where she grew up on her ancestral homelands. She is a second-year master’s student in Agroecology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, focusing on strengthening Indigenous Food Sovereignty through the stewardship of wild foods. Her current research, conducted in collaboration with the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin, examines how forest management practices affect wild blueberry growth and accessibility to support community food sovereignty initiatives. She earned her bachelor’s degree in environmental sciences with a minor in Sustainability from the Oregon Institute of Technology. Tanikwah’s early career experiences include working for The Klamath Tribes’ Ambodat (of the water) Department, interning through The Wildlife Society’s Native American Research Assistantship program, and serving with the U.S. Department of Agriculture under the Tribal Agriculture and Policy Program. She is committed to expanding access to traditional foods across Indian Country and promoting their cultural, spiritual, and physical importance for future generations.

TSN Conference 2026

January 23rd, 2026 (Friday) // 10:00 am – 10:25 am // Room 104 // Igniting Growth: Ecological Assessment of Blueberry Response to Forest Management Treatments on the Menominee Reservation // Wild blueberries hold cultural significance for the Menominee people, who have harvested them for generations. Of the 26 Vaccinium species in North America, lowbush (V. angustifolium) and velvetleaf (V. myrtilloides) are most common on the Menominee Reservation. Fire suppression has reduced the productivity of these fire-adapted species, which thrive in nutrient-poor, acidic soils where disturbance maintains suitable conditions. This study examines how forest management strategies influence blueberry growth and regeneration. Using ecological field methods, I measured berry weight and count, stem density, percent cover, canopy cover, species inventory, soil pH, and leaf tissue nutrients. Results will inform the Menominee Tribal Enterprises Forestry Center on how four management techniques affect blueberry health and yield. Findings aim to guide decisions that enhance abundance, reinforce cultural connections, and promote tribal food sovereignty.