Our Bureau
Seattle, WA
Representative Pramila Jayapal has announced $9,257,231 for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (WSBCTC) from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Climate Ready Workforce Competition grant program for the Tribal Stewards. It aims at cultivating Tribal Leadership and Equity in Natural Resource Stewardship and Climate Resilience project.
“Climate change has disproportionately impacted the resilience, cultural practices, and health of Indigenous communities throughout Washington State,” said Jayapal.
“Additionally, historical barriers stemming from the legacy of colonialism have created alarming disparities in education and career advancement. I am so proud to have supported this project, which creates a holistic and intersectional approach to addressing climate change, and tailors career guidance and academic support to focus on environmental justice efforts that center Tribal communities,” She added further.
“We deeply appreciate Congresswoman Jayapal’s support of Washington state’s grant application,” said Paul Francis, Executive Director of the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges.
This funding will help the Tribal Stewards initiative build a workforce of Tribal leaders to integrate traditional ecological knowledge, science, and cultural practices to increase Tribal communities’ resilience to climate change. The program will train 62 faculty and 10 Tribal student support professionals, redesign 10 natural resources programs, and train 2,130 students across six colleges in the WSBCTC system.
