CENTERING NATIVE VOICES WITHIN EARTH SCIENCES: AN INQUIRY INTO OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES EXPERIENCED BY NATIVE STUDENTS, EARLY-CAREER SCHOLARS AND SCIENTISTS

There are disproportionately few Native scientists and students in STEM and Earth (atmospheric, social, biological, ecological) sciences. A review of the literature of numerous disciplines examines the colonial history of science and science education. The review highlights how they are steeped in inequity, exclusion, and are historically centered in Eurocentric methodologies and methods. Interviews with Native students and early career scholars working in climate related sciences highlight their experiences navigating science and science education. These interviews reveal challenges for Native scholars around four main themes: relevance or how and why Native scholars do research, multifaceted identities, equity and access to science, education, and supporting opportunities, and mentoring. The paper provides recommendations to address the needs of Natives who are interested in Earth science careers.