INTER-TRIBAL STUDENT SERVICES (I.S.S.): COLLABORATIVE ACTIONS IN BUILDING, GUIDING, AND MENTORING THE FUTURE TRIBAL GEOSCIENCES WORKFORCE

Inter-Tribal Student Services (I.S.S.) was created as an Indian Self-Determination Organization to meet the demands of the every growing Tribal and overall geosciences workforce. In past three years, I.S.S has worked in partnership with U.S. colleges/universities, state/federal agencies (Bureau of Indian Affairs), private and International organizations and most critically U.S. Tribal Nations to ensure emerging middle/high school students, undergraduates, and graduate students have the opportunities for training, navigational mentoring in unique and supportive environments and broad professional development to build and practice the skills required for solving challenges in Tribal communities in a culturally responsible and appropriate manner integrating Traditional Knowledge and western science.

I.S.S. has been highly successful in filling workforce opportunities within the broad range of geosciences positions. I.S.S. students are proficient in understanding and maneuvering the complex landscapes of interdisciplinary research, multidisciplinary multi-partner projects, Traditional Knowledge/western philosophies as well as being highly proficient in all areas of problem solving and communications. Research and on-site projects have heightened the educational experiences of all participants, in addition to addressing a perplexing geosciences challenge grounded in a Tribal environment. A number of the I.S.S. participants and students have found geosciences positions in Tribes, state/federal agencies as well as International organizations.

I.S.S. practices and has infused all research and projects with intergenerational teaching/learning, participation solution-focused initiatives, and most critical holistic/multicultural mentoring.

The presentation will highlight the vision, design, implementation, outcomes and future directions of I.S.S and participants.