Recruitment of Urban Youth into Forestry: Cultivating Cultural
Don Motanic is an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservations. He holds an engineering de- gree from the University of Washington and worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for 34 years before becoming a technical spe- cialist with the Intertribal Timber Council.
roots. However, the present framework seems to concentrate on constructing individual ladders for agencies and insti- tutions, overlooking the need to weave a cohesive web team connecting these entities with the untapped urban tribal youth population. Cultural Awareness and Sensitivity: At the heart of this recruitment strategy lies cultural awareness and sensitivity. Effective engagement with urban Tribal communities hinges on team members’ deep understanding of their history, traditions, and challenges. Emotional intelligence serves as a pivotal factor in these interactions, enabling team members to approach conversations with empathy and compre- hension. By acknowledging the emotion- al weight of historical injustices, team members can foster connections founded on shared humanity and respect. Valuable tools developed by the Indian Boarding School Healing Coalition (boardingschoolhealing.org) can aid re- cruiters, mentors, and educators working with tribal youth. Collaborating with local Indigenous organizations and leaders further fortifies these relationships, creat- ing space for the reciprocal exchange of knowledge and experiences. An exten- sive list of urban Indian organizations across the nation can be found at the National Urban Indian Family Coalition. See QR code. Needs Assessment: Customizing the recruitment strategy to align with the needs and aspirations of urban
Tribal youth mandates a thorough needs assessment. Here, emotional intelligence plays a pivotal role in interviews and focus groups, as the capacity to actively listen and empathize with participants’ emotions is indispensable. Participants should feel that their voices are not only heard but also deeply understood. The insights gleaned from these conversa- tions lay the groundwork for the creation of compelling forestry programs that resonate with their emotional ties to the land and community. Federal agencies and schools could collaboratively engage with various urban Indian centers to foster this process. Education and Outreach: Education and outreach initiatives must be cultur- ally relevant and emotionally resonant. The integration of traditional ecological knowledge and contemporary forestry science can be seamlessly achieved through emotionally immersive work- shops and seminars. Emotional intelli- gence guides facilitators in navigating these sessions, fostering an environment where participants feel at ease sharing their emotions and experiences. By addressing the emotional signif- icance of the land and its connection to Tribal identity, these programs forge a profound bond between participants and the subject matter. Over the past decade, a prominent resource for understanding trib- al language and the tribal gift economy has been Dr. Robin Kimmerer’s book, “Braiding Sweetgrass,” which has gained traction in university circles. Notably, she has recently published a young adult edition. Mentorship Programs: Mentorship programs are pivotal in steering urban Tribal youth towards forestry careers. Emotional intelligence plays a significant role in mentor-mentee relationships, with mentors needing to offer both profes- sional guidance and emotional support. Emotionally attuned mentors can discern and respond to their mentees’ emotional requirements, creating a safe space for discussing challenges and aspirations. Through this emotional connection, these relationships become wellsprings of inspiration and encouragement, forti- fying participants’ confidence in pursuing forestry careers. The American Indian Science and Engineering Society boasts several mentoring programs, such as the Advancing Agricultural Science Oppor- tunities for Native Americans, which pro- vides funding for travel and conference participation.
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eventy percent (70%) of the 644,000 K-12 Tribal youth, as iden-
tified by the National Indian Education Association, reside in urban areas across the nation. While IFMAT-IV outlined work- force needs within the forestry program, it neglected to address the shifting tribal demographics and outreach challenges that have evolved over the past three decades. The recruitment of urban Tribal youth into forestry presents both distinct challenges and opportunities. To effec- tively engage these young individuals in a field that bridges their heritage and modern environmental stewardship, a comprehensive and culturally sensitive approach is imperative. This essay delin- eates a multifaceted strategy, incorpo- rating existing program exemplars for recruiting urban Tribal youth into forestry careers, with a focal point on the integra- tion of emotional intelligence. This strategy recognizes the emo- tional significance of their heritage, experiences, and aspirations, aiming to create an environment that nurtures skills development while forging a profound connection to the land and their cultural
22 Evergreen Don Motanic and Northwest Youth Corps friends, NYC, Eugene, Oregon.
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