This week, Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited New Mexico and Colorado to emphasize the Biden-Harris Administration's efforts in conservation and Indigenous knowledge. The focus was on the Indian Youth Service Corps, part of the American Climate Corps, under President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.
On Tuesday, Secretary Haaland met with members of the Ancestral Lands Conservation Corps (ALCC) and Acoma Traditional Farm Corps in Acoma Pueblo, New Mexico. These groups are involved in food sovereignty and historic preservation projects. The Indian Youth Service Corps program was launched by Secretary Haaland in June 2022 to offer Indigenous youth public service opportunities related to natural and cultural resource conservation. In September 2023, $15 million was committed from President Biden’s agenda to strengthen this program.
As part of this funding, a $480,000 grant was announced for the Acoma Traditional Farm Corps. This initiative collaborates with ALCC and several Pueblos to restore Indigenous food systems through agriculture and knowledge-sharing. The commitment aims to expand corps partnerships by 30%, reaching over 5,000 young people.
Secretary Haaland also visited Canyons of the Ancients National Monument in Colorado on Wednesday. The monument covers 174,000 acres with significant archaeological sites. On Thursday, she joined an ALCC team at Mesa Verde National Park to observe their work connecting Indian Youth Service Corps members with ancestral lands through preservation efforts.
To enhance relationships with Tribal partners, funds from the Inflation Reduction Act were used to hire a shared Tribal Liaison at Mesa Verde National Park and other locations. This is part of a broader effort to pursue co-stewardship agreements and incorporate Indigenous Knowledge into decision-making processes.
President Biden's American Climate Corps aims to address climate change by mobilizing workers in clean energy and climate resilience sectors. Recently, it was announced that over 15,000 young Americans have been employed through this program.
