The University of Arizona (UArizona) has partnered with the University of New Mexico (UNM) and Arizona State University (ASU) to improve geoscience education. They have received a $150,000 grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF) for a project aimed at incorporating Indigenous perspectives into this field. The project is led by UArizona’s distinguished professor Karletta Chief and assistant professor Cherie DeVore, both members of the Navajo Nation.
The project, named “Developing Partnerships Among Tribes, Geoscientists, and the National Park Service to Advance Informal Geoscience Learning at Grand Canyon,” will include listening sessions with Native American communities. The Havasupai tribe and Navajo Nation have already expressed their support. The goal is to include other tribes living along the Grand Canyon. These sessions will allow community members to voice their thoughts on integrating native knowledge into geoscience education.
The team plans to use various methods for these sessions, such as geotraining, hikes, and walkthroughs. They aim to respect the region’s spiritual and cultural significance while providing scientific learning opportunities. The team is dedicated to engaging with the tribes and considering their input.