Facilitate the involvement of the arctic's indigenous communities in the arctic council

The Department of State Bureau of Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs awarded a $241,837.70 project grant to the Aleut International Association (AIA), a non-profit organization, to facilitate the involvement of Arctic indigenous communities in the Arctic Council. The grant was funded through the Environmental and Scientific Partnerships and Programs (CFDA 19.017) program, which supports international partnerships to address environmental, scientific, and health concerns.

Under this grant, AIA has provided technical assistance and training to build environmental skills among Aleutian and Pribilof member tribes, promoted solid waste management planning, conducted environmental monitoring, and facilitated coordination between tribal environmental programs. AIA has also convened traditional knowledge holders for biodiversity assessments, shared best practices on environmental monitoring, integrated traditional knowledge with ecosystem science for coastal assessments, and facilitated collaboration between indigenous communities and the U.S. delegation to the Arctic Council. Additionally, AIA has supported the participation of the four permanent participants at Arctic Council events and contributed to developing diplomatic engagement strategies. These grant activities have enabled AIA to generate data on social, economic, and environmental conditions of Arctic indigenous communities and strengthen their long-term participation in the Arctic Council through capacity building efforts.