Deb Haaland Secretary at U.S. Department of Interior | Official website
The Department of the Interior announced nearly $7 million through the Indian Youth Services Corps (IYSC) for Indigenous-led conservation projects across the nation. The IYSC, launched by Secretary Deb Haaland in 2022, is a partnership-based program providing education, jobs, and training opportunities to Indigenous youth through conservation projects on public and Tribal lands, and Hawaiian homelands. This funding aims to advance the American Climate Corps, part of the Biden-Harris administration’s effort to empower a diverse generation to address climate issues and join the clean energy workforce.
“Since time immemorial, Indigenous people have stewarded our nation’s lands and waters,” said Secretary Haaland. “Through the Indian Youth Service Corps, the Interior Department is preparing and supporting the next generation of stewards who will make lasting impacts for people, the environment, wildlife and Tribal communities across the nation. When we invest in Indian Country, we invest in America. I am thrilled that President Biden’s Investing in America agenda invests so significantly in Indigenous communities.”
These projects are part of an overall $15 million commitment from President Biden’s Investing in America agenda to strengthen IYSC and other corps programs for underserved communities. This investment is expected to expand IYSC partnerships by 30 percent to reach over 5,000 young people as part of the American Climate Corps. Last year, several federal agencies joined together under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to establish the American Climate Corps Executive Committee.
“In communities across the country, President Biden’s American Climate Corps is ensuring that the next generation of Americans is empowered to take on our most urgent climate challenges,” said White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi. “From sea level rise to prolonged drought conditions, Indigenous communities are facing some of the most intense impacts of the climate crisis – and the investments we are making today will ensure Indigenous youth play a role in developing innovative climate solutions for their communities while also putting them on a path to good-paying careers.”
The announced projects are funded through grants and financial assistance awards made to Tribal Nations, Tribally-affiliated non-profit organizations, and other qualified non-profit youth-serving organizations working with Tribal Nations. These awards support departmental natural and cultural resources mission priorities by developing Tribal capacity in conservation, natural resource management, and climate resilience.
The IYSC is implemented by several departments including Interior, Agriculture, Commerce following guidelines established with Indian Tribes’ consultation along with stakeholders like Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA). The projects will be facilitated through various bureaus within these departments with funding from sources such as Inflation Reduction Act.
Last year saw $3.5 million allocated for eight IYSC projects involving more than 20 Tribes and organizations. In June this year Secretary Haaland met members from Barrio Youth Conservation Corps at La Plazita Institute where $250K from last year's awards supported environmental conservation training programs.
President Biden's American Climate Corps initiative follows Franklin D Roosevelt's Civilian Conservation model aiming at swearing-in inaugural cohorts serving nationwide towards land-water conservation community resilience energy efficiency technology implementation advancing environmental justice among others.
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