DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM NATIVE AMERICAN SCHOLARS AND TRADITIONAL INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE TO INTEGRATE CULTURE AND BELONGING IN EARTH SCIENCE

The persistent underrepresentation of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) in the geosciences requires a paradigm shift and an urgent need for new and innovative approaches to increasing diversity. The Voices of Integrating Culture in the Earth Sciences (VOICES) project focuses on identifying novel pathways to dismantle persistent barriers in the recruitment, retention, and representation of different racial, ethnic, and cultural groups, including the intersectionality of those with disabilities. Measurable changes in diversity and inclusion require acknowledging the impact of racism on the meaningful participation of BIPOC individuals in the geosciences and recognizing the role and responsibility of power sharing and leadership, including within professional societies. VOICES invokes the power of holistic thinking and ways of knowing, drawing from indigenous practices to encourage individual cultural identities to be part of what we value and apply methodologically in teaching and learning Earth science. VOICES has four primary elements: Identity, Belonging, Place, and Security. Collectively these elements can increase student engagement by championing and advocating for the complete inclusion of students of color and appreciating their personal identity, sense of belonging, individual connection to a place, and their sense of security. Through virtual and in-person workshops, the VOICES project is cultivating a series of creative strategies and inclusive practices designed to overcome historical and systemic barriers to participation. Recognizing the unique talents and contributions of BIPOC individuals in geoscience, listening to their voices, and acknowledging their experiences fosters greater awareness, increases cultural knowledge, and inspires best practices in diversity, equity, and inclusion in the Earth sciences.