The goal of the Environmental Science Program at Aaniiih Nakoda College is to provide skills for entry-level employment opportunities and continuation of education in environmental science, forestry, fish and wildlife management, biology, water quality, soil conservation, and range conservation. The students acquire a basic knowledge of ecological principles, environmental issues, traditional and cultural values. For this Tribal Colleges & Universities (TCU) project, we are focused on creating water quality assessments and mediation plans for several northern Montana Tribal reservations. Water influences every aspect of our lives: health, environment, economies, and socio-political structures. For Tribal communities, stresses related to water supply, quality, and management are amplified, because Tribes lack the capacity to adequately respond to water-related challenges. With the assistance of a TCU/VISTA, Tribal land-grant (1994) colleges can help respond to water challenges through the development of human capacity (education/training), research on water-related problems and solutions, and community outreach and development. The goal of our project is to utilize a TCU/VISTA that will strengthen a national initiative that brings the 1994s together on collaborative efforts around water challenges that can increase their collective impact, leverage resources, and build intra- and inter-institutional capacity.
The TCU/VISTA member will assist in the preparation and submission of grant proposals to secure future funding to increase water quality initiatives and programming for a 1994-wide water program; meet with Tribal colleges, environmental offices, and environmental-affiliated members to strengthen partnerships and collaborations; assist in the development of a working group of representatives from interested Tribal colleges, FALCON (First Americans Land Grant Consortium), AIHEC (American Indian Higher Education Consortium), and the U.S. Department of Agriculture to begin a planning process that will address water quality issues, and mitigation strategies and goals; develop ways for TCU students to engage in water quality projects that involve field work for the students and expand upon their skills development for future employment; and identify water quality and volume issues common across reservations throughout northern Montana by increasing outreach and communication.
Required Skills
REQUIREMENTS: Bachelors degree preferred, good communication skills, familiarity with computers, ability to work in a challenging and changing environment, flexibility and adaptability, self-motivation, and awareness of tribal cultures.
LOCATION: Aaniiih Nakoda College on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Harlem, MT
DURATION: VISTA is one full year of service
START DATE: October 31 or November 14
BENEFITS:
Required Experience
REQUIREMENTS: Bachelors degree preferred, good communication skills, familiarity with computers, ability to work in a challenging and changing environment, flexibility and adaptability, self-motivation, and awareness of tribal cultures.
LOCATION: Aaniiih Nakoda College on Fort Belknap Indian Reservation in Harlem, MT
DURATION: VISTA is one full year of service
START DATE: October 31 or November 14
BENEFITS: