Around the Region: Cherokee students address environmental issues in youth conservation programs – Mountain Xpress

Report on Youth-Led Conservation Initiatives and Sustainable Development in the Qualla Boundary

Executive Summary

This report details the conservation and educational activities of two youth organizations within the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI) community: the Youth Conservation Club (YCC) and the NAIWA Daughters. These initiatives demonstrate a practical application of several United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by integrating Indigenous knowledge with Western science, empowering youth, and fostering partnerships to protect local ecosystems. The programs focus on hands-on environmental education, biodiversity monitoring, and civic engagement, contributing directly to SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities), SDG 15 (Life on Land), SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions), and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Fostering Environmental Stewardship Through Quality Education and Biodiversity Action (SDG 4 & SDG 15)

The core mission of the local youth programs is to provide quality environmental education and promote the protection of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity.

The Youth Conservation Club (YCC)

• Launched in January with 10 participants from Cherokee High School.
• Aims to expand to include elementary and middle school students from New Kituwah Academy and Cherokee Central Schools.
• Primary objective is to engage youth in outdoor activities, fostering an appreciation for conservation and environmental care, aligning with targets for SDG 4.7 (Education for sustainable development).

Experiential Learning: Bird Banding for Biodiversity Monitoring

A key educational event involved a bird banding activity in partnership with the National Park Service (NPS), directly supporting SDG 15.5 (Protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species) and SDG 15.9 (Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into national and local planning).

1. Activity: Students participated in catching birds, including an eastern phoebe and a Carolina wren, using mist nets.
2. Scientific Process: An NPS research coordinator demonstrated how to document key biological data, including wing length, approximate age, and gender.
3. Data Collection for Research: Feather samples were collected for DNA analysis, and a band was placed on the bird’s leg to contribute to long-term studies of migratory patterns and life cycles.
4. Educational Impact: The event provided students with a direct, hands-on experience of scientific methodology and its importance in conservation.

Integrating Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science (SDG 10 & SDG 15)

A foundational principle of these initiatives is the integration of traditional ecological knowledge with modern scientific techniques, which promotes the reduction of inequalities by valuing Indigenous culture (SDG 10.2) and enhances conservation outcomes (SDG 15).

A Complementary Approach

• The programs emphasize that traditional Cherokee stories and practices contain scientific truths that complement Western scientific methods.
• Events are designed to demonstrate this synergy, such as protecting birds that are culturally significant using modern banding techniques.
• Students work with community elders to learn Indigenous practices, such as the traditional preparation of sochan, a native plant.
• An event focused on protecting the tsuwa (hellbender) featured both a Western scientist and a tribal elder, providing a holistic educational experience.

Empowering Indigenous Youth and Women for Community Action (SDG 5 & SDG 16)

The NAIWA Daughters chapter is a key example of empowering young Indigenous women and promoting participation in local governance, directly addressing goals for gender equality and building effective, accountable institutions.

NAIWA Daughters: A Focus on Empowerment and Conservation

• A youth-run organization created to empower Indigenous women aged 10-17, contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality).
• Emphasizes conservation, with a current focus on protecting local waterways, referred to as the Long Man.

Advocacy and Institutional Engagement

The group is actively engaging in civic processes to create lasting environmental protections, reflecting the aims of SDG 16.7 (Ensure responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative decision-making).

1. Inspiration and Research: After attending the Bioneers Conference, the group was inspired to take action to protect local rivers from pollution.
2. Policy Development: The NAIWA Daughters began drafting a formal resolution demanding greater protections for local waterways.
3. Formal Presentation: The group plans to present its resolution to the EBCI Tribal Council, seeking to integrate cultural concepts into the legal system.
4. Capacity Building: Youth are taught practical skills for civic engagement, such as how to write public comments.

Building Collaborative Partnerships for Sustainable Futures (SDG 17)

The success of these programs relies on a network of strong partnerships between local, community, and federal organizations, embodying the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

Key Collaborations

• Youth Conservation Club (YCC) & National Park Service (NPS): Partnering for scientific events like bird banding.
• Center for Native Health (CNH): Provides program leadership and support for the YCC.
• YCC & NAIWA Daughters: Joint activities, such as painting community bee boxes to support pollinators.
• Community & Intergenerational Partnerships: Collaboration with community elders and local schools to deliver programming.

Challenges and Outlook

The continuation of scientific research, such as the bird banding that supports these educational initiatives, faces potential challenges from proposed federal funding cuts to the U.S. Geological Survey’s Bird Banding Laboratory. Despite this, the programs remain focused on the foundational concept that a healthy environment is essential for healthy individuals and communities, a core principle of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 4: Quality Education

  The article extensively covers educational initiatives aimed at youth. The Youth Conservation Club (YCC) and the NAIWA Daughters are central to this, providing hands-on learning experiences that go beyond traditional classroom settings. The focus is on “getting the kids outside and getting them excited about conservation and caring about the environment” and educating them on the “connection between science and nature.”

• SDG 15: Life on Land

  The core activities described, such as bird banding, protecting the tsuwa (hellbender), and installing community bee boxes, are directly related to the conservation of terrestrial ecosystems and biodiversity. The article highlights efforts to “learn more about migratory patterns and life cycles” of birds and to protect specific local species, which is fundamental to halting biodiversity loss.

• SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

  The NAIWA Daughters’ initiative to protect local waterways, which they call the Long Man, directly addresses this goal. Their motivation stemmed from “noticing trash left by tourists while tubing in the rivers,” leading them to draft a resolution for “greater protections for local waterways.”

• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

  The article emphasizes the protection and safeguarding of cultural and natural heritage. The programs merge Western science with Indigenous practices, such as protecting birds “significant in Cherokee culture” and reintroducing “cultural concepts into the legal system.” This integration aims to “reconnect traditional techniques with modern ways,” strengthening the community’s cultural and natural heritage.

• SDG 5: Gender Equality

  The NAIWA Daughters organization is specifically designed to “empower Indigenous women ages 10-17.” By creating a youth-run group for young women and encouraging them to take on leadership roles, such as drafting resolutions and presenting them to the Tribal Council, the initiative promotes women’s participation in public life and decision-making.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. SDG 4: Quality Education

   • Target 4.7: Ensure all learners acquire knowledge and skills for sustainable development. The article details how the YCC and NAIWA Daughters provide education on conservation, the environment, and sustainable lifestyles. They explicitly merge “Western science and Indigenous practices,” promoting an appreciation of cultural diversity and its contribution to sustainable development.

2. SDG 15: Life on Land

   • Target 15.1: Ensure the conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems. The efforts to protect local waterways (the Long Man) and the surrounding terrestrial ecosystems where activities like bird banding occur align with this target.
   • Target 15.5: Take urgent action to halt the loss of biodiversity and protect threatened species. The article describes specific actions to protect species, including bird banding to understand their life cycles, an event dedicated to protecting the tsuwa (hellbender), and installing bee boxes to support pollinators.
   • Target 15.9: Integrate ecosystem and biodiversity values into local planning and development processes. The NAIWA Daughters’ work to draft a resolution for waterway protection and present it to the EBCI Tribal Council is a direct attempt to integrate environmental and cultural values into the local legal and governmental system.

3. SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation

   • Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution. The NAIWA Daughters’ initiative was sparked by observing “trash left by tourists” in rivers, and their proposed resolution aims to address this pollution and improve the health of local waterways.
   • Target 6.b: Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water management. The formation of the NAIWA Daughters and their proactive approach to drafting and presenting a resolution exemplifies the participation of a local community group in water resource management.

4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage. The programs are built on the principle of merging modern science with traditional knowledge, thereby protecting both the natural environment (birds, rivers, hellbenders) and the cultural heritage of the Cherokee people, which is deeply connected to that environment.

5. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.5: Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership. The NAIWA Daughters is a “youth-run organization created to empower Indigenous women.” By drafting policy and preparing to engage with the Tribal Council, these young women are actively participating in leadership and decision-making processes within their community.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

While the article does not cite official SDG indicators, it mentions or implies several metrics that can be used to measure progress:

1. For SDG 4 (Quality Education):

   • Number of participants in educational programs: The article notes the YCC began with “10 participants” and that there are “plans to expand” to include more students from different grade levels.
   • Number of educational events organized: The article mentions several events, including bird banding, a hellbender protection event, and community bee box painting.
   • Integration of sustainable development education: The creation of clubs focused on conservation and the integration of Indigenous knowledge into their activities serves as an indicator of progress.

2. For SDG 15 (Life on Land):

   • Number of conservation actions taken: This includes the number of birds banded, the installation of bee boxes, and the hosting of species-specific protection events (e.g., for the hellbender).
   • Development of local environmental policies: The drafting of a “resolution demanding greater protections for local waterways” by the NAIWA Daughters is a key indicator of integrating biodiversity values into local planning.

3. For SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation):

   • Level of community participation in water management: The existence and actions of the NAIWA Daughters group serve as a direct indicator of local community participation.
   • Policies proposed for water protection: The resolution being prepared for the Tribal Council is a measurable output of their efforts.

4. For SDG 5 (Gender Equality):

   • Number of women and girls in leadership roles: The NAIWA Daughters being a “youth-run organization” and its members preparing to present to the Tribal Council are indicators of young women taking on leadership roles.

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mountainx.com