Northern Arizona University’s Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals is seeking sites for its Tribes and Climate Change Program.
Organizations interested in hosting summer interns to work on climate resilience projects benefitting Indigenous communities can submit proposals by December 1. The projects will fall under the Tribes and Climate Change Program operated by Northern Arizona University’s Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals.
Internship proposals should be designed to engage and emphasize intergenerational teachings between elders and youth to pass on cultural teachings, language and traditional and Indigenous knowledges, according to the institute. In addition, interns should have the opportunity to learn about the latest western science and educational tools and resources.
Past interns worked on projects that included activities such as:
- Improving the biodiversity of Euchee Butterfly Farm, growing native plants for restoration projects on tribal land, and teaching tribal communities about adapting grassland ecosystems to climate change with the Tribal Alliance for Pollinators in Bixby, Oklahoma.
- Engaging in outreach and feedback initiatives concerning a web portal database, the Tribal Resilience Action Database.
- Contributing to the restoration guide and being involved in training efforts for native plant propagation in southern California as a climate resilience intern with the Climate Science Alliance.
- Developing climate justice curriculum and conducting educational training sessions, workshops and presentations with Climate Advocates Voces Unidas.
- Rebuilding a weir along the Yukon River in the Henshaw Creek near Allakaket, Alaska, to get a hands-on understanding of the effects of climate change on villages and of efforts by the Tanana Chiefs Conference to co-manage their lands.
ITEP can fund up to six summer internships for Indigenous students at colleges or universities, thanks to support from the Bay and Paul Foundations for the Tribes and Climate Change Program. Anyone interested in hosting an intern should contact Kim Shaw at Kim.Shaw@nau.edu.
Story published November 20, 2023
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