Re-thinking GIS & Climate Science Curricula to Prepare the Future Climate Workforce at Northwest Indian College

Abstract:

‘How can I interpret geographic data information or climate related data in order to help my tribe/nation with its needs with respect to cultural and natural resources?’ is the voice of our students who are deeply connected to place and seek to build resiliency to mitigate the impacts of climate change. We work to build capacity, and have indigenous voices heard by engaging indigenous students in research opportunities mentored by community members, scientists, and tribal departments of natural resources. Diverse perspectives promote innovative problem solving in the face of a changing climate. Since 2009, 38 tribal affiliations of graduates from the Native Environmental Science Program have been represented at the Northwest Indian College (NWIC) in Bellingham (WA, USA). Between 2009 and 2019, 82 students graduated with a Bachelor of Native Environmental Science (BSNES) and 46 have been enrolled in our program in the past three years. The BSNES program and the Salish Sea Research Center (SSRC) at NWIC incorporate a strong place-based curricula and a connection to the indigenous community that is often missing at other institutions of higher education. The BSNES program, the SSRC, and NWIC have had the opportunity to expand traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) in the classroom setting, and enhance classroom experiences by incorporating relevant STEM research. We build on NWIC institutional outcomes (what are these outcomes?), the BSNES program outcomes, as well as TEK and place-based education with targeted summer research internships through SSRC and NASA Ames Research Center. Additionally, we tailored the GIS & Remote Sensing curriculum as well as climate change courses in a culturally relevant manner, focused on place-based teaching and learning as well as on community goals and needs. The presentation will highlight some of the successes and lessons learned in how to build capacity and promote indigenous voices in STEM.