Native peoples were traditionally caretakers of the land, using indigenous ecological knowledge and sustainable approaches to live in balance with the natural world. Yet the demands of climate change, environmental destruction, and polices of exclusion have generated pressing circumstances for which bold leadership is needed. The Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort answers the call by mentoring early career Native professionals who are devoted to integrating indigenous knowledge with contemporary approaches to conservation.
This cohort isn’t just about job training—it’s about empowerment. By nurturing Indigenous professionals in the field of natural resource management, the program advances tribal sovereignty, protects sacred landscapes, and strengthens environmental resilience in Native communities.
Program Overview and Objectives
This 12-month leadership program is comprehensive in scope and outcome-based. Through face-to-face and web-based training, fieldwork, and peer networking, the program sets in place the core competencies participants can implement in tribal communities right away.
Main Objectives:
- Professional Development: Participants gain hands-on experience through regional gatherings and workshops focused on environmental policy, data collection, land restoration, and sustainable resource use.
- Mentorship and Coaching: Each participant is paired with mentors who provide ongoing guidance in project planning, time management, and community engagement.
- Project-Based Learning: A key element of the program is the conduct of a conservation-based project by the cohort member, which is in alignment with the priorities of the tribal natural resource department.
- Community-Based Solutions: The program favors projects which reflect the cultural values and stewardship practices of the participant tribes.
- Networking and Collaboration: Members are included in the regional network of Indigenous professionals, allowing for long-term connections and peer support networks.
Eligibility Criteria
To ensure the program serves its target audience effectively, participants must meet specific criteria:
- Tribal Membership: The applicants must have membership in a federally-recognized or state-recognized Native American tribe.
- Employment Status: Candidates must currently work within a tribal natural resource or environmental department in one of the five eligible Northern Great Plains states.
- Age Requirement: The applicants should fall within the age range of 18–30.
- Citizenship: U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is required.
- Program Commitment: Applicants must be able to fully participate in all aspects of the 12-month program and dedicate time and effort to leading a conservation project within their tribe.
This rigorous eligibility process ensures that the selected professionals are both committed and positioned to make meaningful contributions to tribal conservation efforts.
Application Process
The application process is streamlined yet thorough, designed to assess the applicant’s passion, capacity, and alignment with program goals. Applicants must submit:
- Online Application Form: It contains personal details, background in natural resources, and present employment information.
- Short Essay Responses: Applicants must answer two brief questions about their experience and aspirations in under 200 words each.
- Letter of Recommendation: A supervisor or senior official of the tribal department of the applicant, confirming the employment of the applicant and recommending the participation of the applicant in the program.
All application materials must be submitted through the First Nations Development Institute’s online grants portal by the specified deadline.
Advantages of Membership
The benefits of becoming a Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort member are short- and long-term:
- Stipend: Each participant is given a $5,000 stipend paid over the course of the program to compensate for time and related costs of participation.
- Project Support: A grant of up to $50,000 is awarded to the participant’s tribal department to support a community-based conservation project led by the participant.
- Leadership Skills: Participants gain enhanced knowledge of project management, policy advocacy, public speaking, and data analysis—all of which are important skills for improving environmental justice in Indigenous nations.
- Cultural Empowerment: The program emphasizes the importance of integrating tribal customs and traditional knowledge into conservation practices.
- Career Growth: Graduates of the program leave with an enhanced professional network, new credentials, and the tools needed to pursue advanced roles in natural resource management or public service.
Example Projects and Community Impact
Previous cohorts’ participants have embarked on various projects in line with the community’s demand. Examples are:
- Grassland and Prairie Restoration: Restoring native species to overgrazed or degraded tribal lands through culturally responsive approaches.
- Monitoring of the Quality of the Waters: Establishing data-based river and lake condition monitoring on tribal lands.
- Cultural Preservation through Land Stewardship: Designing land-use plans that protect sacred sites while promoting economic development.
- Youth Environmental Education: Implementing youth programs for the teaching of land stewardship, hunting ethics, and native food traditions.
In addition to producing measurable environmental results, they also support Indigenous leadership, foster intergenerational transmission of knowledge, and catalyze the cultural renewal of tribal nations.
How to Apply
All application materials must be submitted online through the First Nations Development Institute’s grants portal. The application process includes:
- Account Registration: Register for a secure user account on the web portal.
- Form Submission: Complete the entire application, which would encompass essay answers and personal history.
- Upload Supporting Documents: Please attach the needed letter of recommendation and any additional supporting documents.
- Submission and Review: Once submitted, the applications are reviewed through a panel assessing commitment, relevance, and leadership potential.
We recommend that applicants read the program guidelines beforehand and contact the program team if they have eligibility- or submission-related questions.
Simplifying the Process Through Fluxx
First Nations Development Institute uses the Fluxx platform to manage applications and grant reporting. From Fluxx, the following can be accomplished:
- Ease submission of and revision of applications
- Track submission deadlines and convey them
- Access reporting templates and communications tools
- Upload weekly progress reports and project documents
This website is clear and provides an effective process for the applicants and the cohort.
Investing in the Future of Indigenous Environmental Leadership
The Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort is in keeping with the strong commitment of the First Nations Development Institute to equity, self-determination, and sustainable development. Investing in younger professionals who are grounded in the community and are motivated to safeguard the environment, the program achieves ripple effects well beyond the 12-month cohort.
Program graduates are prepared to be not only managers of resources but also policy advocates, cultural protectors, and mentors to future generations. In an era where environmental concerns are ever more pressing, enabling Indigenous leadership is both an ethical duty and a pragmatic remedy.
For additional information on the Young Natural Resource Professionals Cohort and how to apply, see the First Nations Development Institute's website.
