Engage

Indigenous Food, Energy and Water Security and Sovereignty (Indige-FEWSS), combines research, cultural immersion and hands-on problem solving to address food, energy and water challenges in tribal communities. This NSF NRT program at the University of Arizona prepares the next generation of Food-Energy-Water (FEWS) systems professionals to tackles these challenges in partnership with Indigenous Communities. Developing technical solutions to challenges in tribal communities requires an understanding of Indigenous societies, governance, culture, and the ability to work effectively in these contexts. Our vision is to develop a diverse workforce with intercultural awareness and expertise in FEWS, specifically through the design of fit-for-purpose water and controlled environment agricultural (CEA) technologies to address the lack of safe water, energy, and food security in Indigenous communities. To develop this workforce, in partnership with Diné College, our project is educating graduate and tribal college students, with an emphasis on recruitment of first-generation and minority students seeking to make a difference in developing communities. Dr. Karletta Chief (PI), associate professor of environmental science in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences explains, "We want to enable these trainees to tackle critical, real-world food, energy and water problems with an understanding of culture and sovereignty of Indigenous people."