The Department of the Interior (DOI) recently released guidelines to implement the Indian Youth Service Corps (IYSC) Program, as well as plans to consult with tribes.
In an Oct. 28 release, the DOI stated the program will provide education, employment and training opportunities to Indigenous youth with its conservation projects.
“The Indian Youth Service Corps Program has the potential to transform the lives of Indigenous youth all across our country,” DOI Secretary Deb Haaland said in the release.
The projects will explore conservation on public and native lands, as well as Hawaiian homelands.
“Young people are the future stewards of our lands, waters, and resources. I am thrilled that the Interior Department can provide greater opportunities to learn, work, and train in a variety of innovative and transformative conservation projects,” Haaland added.
The guidelines outline the goals for the program as it moves forward.
Those goals include, “Perform, in a cost-effective manner, appropriate conservation projects on eligible service lands where such projects will not be performed by existing employees. Assist governments and Indian Tribes in performing research and public education tasks associated with natural and cultural resources on eligible service lands, and expose young Indian men and women to public service while furthering their understanding and appreciation of our nation’s natural and cultural resources,” the release stated.
The release said the IYSC Program will put young people on a path to good-paying jobs working to tackle the climate crisis.
Members of Tribes, Alaska Native corporations, and the Native Hawaiian community are invited to consult on the draft guidelines, the release stated. Consultations will be held Nov. 30 from 3 - 5 p.m EST for all Tribes east of the Mississippi River, Dec. 2 from 3 - 5 p.m for EST for all Tribes west of the Mississippi River and Alaska Native corporations, and Dec. 9 from 4 - 6 p.m for EST Native Hawaiian organizations.
