Kat Werchouski

Most recent degrees:

2011 - Master of Science (M.S.) - Environmental Studies/Written Communications - Green Mountain College – Dissertation/thesis topic: "Wild Rice Keepers: Connecting Culture and Resources through Art"

Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) - Native American Studies - Northland College

2007 - Bachelor of Science (B.S.) - Environmental Studies/Public Land Use and Policy - Northland College

Current licensures/certifications:

Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College - Certified BLS/CPR/AED/1st Aid Instructor for Healthcare Providers- Adults, Children, Infants

Academic background:

Katrina "Kat" Werchouski is a proud member of the Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe. She earned her B.S. in Environmental Studies (Environmental Public Law and Policy) and B.A. in Native American Studies from Northland College and her M.S. in Environmental Studies (Written Communications) from Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont. Her personal and professional interests intersect in many ways, but most prominently in wanting to educate others about Indigenous cultures, historic and contemporary gender roles and identities, overcoming the challenges and expectations of underrepresented students in education, and strengthening leadership roles through traditional teachings. She strives to provide spaces where everyone feels safe and welcome to share, learn, and grow from diverse experiences and backgrounds.

Research interests:

Kat's applied professional thesis project "Connecting Culture and Resources Through Art" was done through a community based art exhibit called "Wild Rice Keepers". This project brought people from all walks of life together to explore cultural revitalization through art. This is where she began to strive to create opportunities for those who want to celebrate, explore, or maybe even mourn the loss or changing of culture - including cultural symbols, struggles, worries, triumphs, hopes, change, beauty, information, understanding, trauma, healing, dreams, and societal expectations/downfalls. Her current interests and passions focus on re-writing the narrative on gender roles and identities using historic knowledge, teachings, customs, languages, and beliefs from Indigenous peoples around the world. She also has a deep commitment to continuously finding ways to incorporate culturally responsive student support approaches in all aspects of her and her colleagues' work wherever possible.

Non-academic interests:

When not at work, Kat can be found exploring the beautiful woods and southern shores of Lake Superior, taking photos, playing cribbage, fishing, doing beadwork, or spending time with her adventure human as well as her rescue dog "Huck". She is also a BLS/CPR instructor for WITC Ashland and Superior campuses and volunteers many hours as an ambulance driver for the Bayfield Community Ambulance Service.

Notable awards:

2013 - Northland College Student Association's Staff Member of the Year Award

2016 - PFLAG Washburn Co-Person of the Year Award