Sapóoq'is Wíit'as Ciarra S. Greene

Native Environmental Science Faculty, Northwest Indian College - Nez Perce Site, Lapwai, Idaho, Nez Perce Nation, USA

Volunteer experience that relates to this position:

+10 years volunteer with the American Indian Science and Engineering Society (national), five years with the Portland Native American Community Advisory Council (state: Oregon), four years with the Native Youth Community Adaptation Leadership Congress (national), two years with Wisdom of the Elders Board of Directors (regional: Northwest), one year with the SHIFT Emerging Leaders Program Advisory Council (national) 

Council members play a critical role as communication conduits among AGU members and leaders. How will you engage with other students and early career scientists to share, and solicit input to, the important strategic conversations being held by the Council? Relating to AGU’s new strategic plan, what features of the plan do you think are most exciting for the student and early career communities to mobilize around?  How might you consider mobilizing this community to be most effective?

All three goals of the new strategic plan provide an opportunity to genuinely invite in underrepresented perspectives, particularly Indigenous Knowledge (both past and current) for the advancement of the protection and healing of the Earth and connect us to space. As an Indigenous scholar, I recognize the value of knowledge systems that are cumulative and dynamic; it is with the current strategic plan that recognition of these knowledge systems within the broader scientific community is advocated. The inherent knowledge and wisdom that date back millennia come with great responsibility. My engagement on the Council entails a holistic perspective, and I am committed to respectfully listen to the diverse perspectives in conversations, contribute thoughtfully to discussions, and respect the thoughts and opinions of all those present. The word council is honoring the process by which everyone has a voice, a right to share their words and integrate all ideas in a way that best serves the greater community. I do not hesitate to voice concerns regarding marginalization, colonial advances, racism and inequity. As an early-career scientist, educator and Indigenous woman, I have already demonstrated my ability to serve in national capacities and pursue the accountability of each Council and community member. Earth and space sciences are very much interwoven in social, economic and political affairs, and we cannot separate what inherently makes us who we are. With an expansive and diverse network, soliciting input from varying perspectives is an expectation among my colleagues that I continue to meet.

Section affiliations: 

Atmospheric Sciences; Biogeosciences; Earth and Planetary Surface Processes; Education; Global Environmental Change; Science and Society