Co-Creating Culturally Inclusive Climate Change Programming: A Qualitative Study With Indigenous Populations in Southeast Utah

This study explores the impact of climate change on underrepresented communities, particularly Indigenous populations in the Colorado Plateau region, and the negative effects on their cultural identities and traditional practices. Despite their knowledge and connection to the land, Indigenous communities are experiencing climate change at a more extreme rate due to their geographical location and the lasting impacts of settler colonialism. The study aims to better understand Indigenous perspectives of climate change, co-create a climate change curriculum with Indigenous populations in southeastern Utah, and apply it to an Indigenous-centric field experience. By incorporating traditional ecological knowledge and Western science practices, this curriculum will better prepare students to engage in climate change decisions and adaptation efforts. The study highlights the need to work with traditional knowledge and experience to implement climate change adaptation strategies more efficiently among Indigenous communities.