Science Warriors

Fellowship

Fellowship Description

The Science Warriors Fellowship cultivates scientist-organizers within Indigenous Nations and their communities, bridging the gap between grassroots organizing and science-based interventions. This initiative is solution-oriented, empowering Indigenous Peoples to address environmental health, wildlife, soils, water conservation or any area of ecological concerns using comprehensive scientific methodologies including Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Science Technology Engineering Math (STEM), and community organizing.

Fellows receive a stipend of up to $10,000 for a 10 month project, with additional funding of up to $5,000 available for research materials, gas, etc. Mentors are optional, with funding of up to $2,000 per mentor available if needed. The program seeks to train scientist-organizers who can utilize scientific knowledge to protect their lands and communities from extractive development. Fellows participate in regular check-ins and workshops, with one speaker per month covering different topics relevant to their projects.

Through this one-of-a-kind fellowship, Science Warriors are able to blend their Indigenous knowledge with rigorous scientific inquiry in order to facilitate Indigenous Sovereignty and Land Back.

What Past Science Warrior Fellows Have To Say

"As Pacific Islanders, our Vanua, or our land, encompasses our ocean, our people, our traditions, and our spirituality. If one aspect is disrupted, the whole system is disrupted. It’s vital that we safeguard our marine and terrestrial resources for our future generations."

Davila Talemaimaleya, Fiji
"The fact that there are people who are actually willing to look at Indigenous knowledge and support it in this way makes me more willing to go into a science career. I can use science to help my community instead of feeling like it’s a struggle."

Stephen Swift Bird, Oglala Lakota from the Wakinyan Luzahan Tiyospaye
"It’s the restoration of our traditional ways that will ultimately restore the health of our people, the health of our land, and the health of our water. Those are the actual solutions."

Nickolas Esperanza, Nahua
"I don’t come from a science background. My bachelor’s degree is in legal studies and my master's is in water resource policy management. I always thought, ‘Oh I don’t have a science brain, I can’t do that.’ But anyone can do research."

Delanie Seals, Chickasaw
"This pot of funding is really unique. I’ve been in government and the nonprofit sector for over a decade, and I’ve never seen a fellowship like this centered around Indigenous knowledge."

Raymond Gutteriez, Wuksachi Mono and Wukchumni Yokut

- To unite science and activism to create the next generation of organizers.
- Empower Indigenous Peoples to investigate environmental health concerns.
- Advocate for community investment to combat climate change and environmental health issues.
- Protect Indigenous communities and lands from extractive development.
- Foster proactive approaches to addressing pressing environmental challenges.
- Train scientist-organizers to utilize scientific knowledge/tools to protect their lands.
- Hold regular check-ins, workshops, and presentations to support fellows' projects.
- To invest directly into frontline, grassroots, Indigenous communities.
- Minimum age requirement of 18
- No academic prerequisites - this fellowship welcomes individuals from diverse backgrounds.
- Applicants must demonstrate self-drive and motivation, reflecting a commitment to their communities.
- Must be a self-starter.
- Must be able to attend 2 in-person gatherings over the course of 10 months.
- Commitment to Indigenous Rights, the Territorial Integrity of their homelands, Land Back and social justice.
- Geology
- Hydrology
- Forestry
- Farming, Indigenous Food Systems
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Botany
- Wildlife Conservation
- Soil science
- Physics
- Other Training: Policy and inter-agency work
Specialized Cultural Training: Cultural burning, gathering traditional foods or materials
- Organizer 101
- Non-Violent Direct Action 101
- Campaign Development
- Engaging in environmental public comment
Fellows will be expected to present reflections on their work to their home communities.
They will have opportunities to present their findings at conferences and community events through posters, blogs, and/or published articles to generate awareness and facilitate knowledge sharing.

Application Process

Applicants are expected to identify their own projects and mentors (if applicable). Honor The Earth Department of Ecology and Research will provide professional connections, funding, limited mentorship, training, and advice via check-ins.

Applications are closed for this year. Come back next year to apply!

Fellowship Description

"As Pacific Islanders, our Vanua, or our land, encompasses our ocean, our people, our traditions, and our spirituality. If one aspect is disrupted, the whole system is disrupted. It’s vital that we safeguard our marine and terrestrial resources for our future generations."

"The fact that there are people who are actually willing to look at Indigenous knowledge and support it in this way makes me more willing to go into a science career. I can use science to help my community instead of feeling like it’s a struggle."

"It’s the restoration of our traditional ways that will ultimately restore the health of our people, the health of our land, and the health of our water. Those are the actual solutions."

"I don’t come from a science background. My bachelor’s degree is in legal studies and my master's is in water resource policy management. I always thought, ‘Oh I don’t have a science brain, I can’t do that.’ But anyone can do research."

"This pot of funding is really unique. I’ve been in government and the nonprofit sector for over a decade, and I’ve never seen a fellowship like this centered around Indigenous knowledge."