About

Aakwa Education is currently a one-man show! Run and operated by Forest Hunt, M.S. (they/them).

Forest is a Two-Spirit Plant Scientist with a B.S. in Plant Science and an M.S. in Applied Plant Science, both from the University of Minnesota. Forest is Anishinaabe and Metis and a direct descendent from the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Tribe. During their time at the U of MN, they focused their studies on agroecology, horticultural production, and later during graduate school shifted to biochemistry and genetics. They have worked in over 3 labs and a number of professional greenhouses, conducting a wide range of research.

They have experience teaching complex biology subjects to all ages... literally. From preschool to school age to college to adult learners, Forest has taught and developed curriculum for all audiences. They understand how the needs of a classroom shifts with the needs of the students, no matter how old they may be.

They have years of experience leading college lectures, community workshops, and even single-handedly developed a youth education program with the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute.

Their goal with Aakwa Education is to remove the academic barrier between people and the scientific knowledge that governs the world around them. The world of high level academia is gatekept by steep class prices- thousands of dollars for one class. So they hope to distill all of the useful information they have learned throughput their academic and professional career into easy-to-understand lessons for who ever wishes to learn. And of course, they add indigenous knowledge to everything they teach!

Forest Hunt, smiling and wearing a sun hat outdoors. They have a bundle of asparagus that they are holding lovingly up their face. Forest is a round face light-skinned native person with glasses and dark hair and features.

Qualifications

B.S. in Plant Science

Graduated with a focus in agroecology and horticultural production. Worked as an undergraduate researcher in Alan Smith's lab, researching pollen tube growth in various environments. Worked under Stan Hokanson studying rose black spot susceptibility and genetic linkage.

M.S. in Applied Plant Science

Worked as an R.A. in the Hegeman lab studying anthocyanin production in a cold hardy grape F1 population using LC-MS metabolomic analysis. Education focus was on genetics, farm management, and biology education, working as well as a T.A. during their time in graduate school.

Education Director at EPNI

During and after graduate school, Forest worked for the East Phillips Neighborhood Institute. They started as the Farm Steward and Lead Educator and created a monthly free workshop series for East Phillips community members. During their time at EPNI, they were promoted to Education Director and were given the opportunity to designed and implemented a youth education program, teaching botany, plant identification, and the history of plant domestication to East Phillips youth ages 10-16.