Key Impact Points:
- Leadership and Recognition: 2023 WWF Conservation Leadership Award recipient, celebrated for her impactful contributions to environmental conservation and education.
- Advocacy in Education: Developed an inclusive curriculum for the Anchorage School District, promoting cultural recognition and autonomy.
- Scientific and Community Leadership: Active in research and community engagement through various prestigious fellowships and roles, including her work with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium.
This week, we spotlight Charitie Ropati, a remarkable Yup’ik and Samoan activist whose contributions to environmental advocacy and education have earned her the prestigious WWF-US Conservation Leadership Award for 2023. Her work exemplifies a profound commitment to integrating Indigenous knowledge within contemporary environmental and educational frameworks.
Educational Advocacy
Promoting Inclusivity and Cultural Recognition
Charitie’s influence in educational reform is profound. Her initiative to integrate an accurate and inclusive sub-curriculum on Indigenous peoples within the Western education system continues to empower students in the Anchorage School District to celebrate their heritage openly, notably through a policy that allows the wearing of cultural regalia at graduation ceremonies. Reflecting on this achievement, Charitie said, “The Anchorage School District is one of the most diverse in the country, yet my family and I faced a lot of discrimination. There is a lot of erasure and a lack of Indigenous autonomy in the classroom.”
Research and Environmental Advocacy
Exploring Ecological and Cultural Intersections
As a researcher, Charitie delves into the complex relationships between plant ecology, permafrost, and cultural resilience in Alaska’s coastal Native communities. Highlighting the importance of traditional ecological knowledge, Charitie remarked, “If the Earth isn’t healthy, our families and our communities aren’t healthy.”
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Professional and Community Involvement
Leading Change through Various Platforms
Charitie holds numerous prestigious roles, such as Arctic Youth Ambassador, Arctic Resilient Youth Communities Fellow, Aspen Ideas Fellow, and a Future Rising Fellow with Girl Rising. She also serves on the board of Intersectional Environmentalist and participates in the Higher Ed Climate Action Task Force with the Aspen Institute. Discussing her mission, she shared, “When you make education safer and equitable, especially for Indigenous kids, that is rooted in climate justice.”
Practical Applications
Contributions to Infrastructure and Resource Management
In her role as a Water Resources Engineering Intern with the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium, Charitie works on critical infrastructure projects, focusing on pipe infrastructure and wastewater systems in rural Alaska. Describing her vision and commitment, Charitie noted, “I want to challenge young kids back in Alaska to think about what a scientist looks like. A scientist is a hunter, someone who gathers berries and someone who’s able to really understand the ecology in the tundra in Alaska, to survive in the Arctic.”
Charitie Ropati stands as a beacon of hope and change, bridging the gap between traditional ecological knowledge and modern scientific approaches. Her multidisciplinary involvement—from educational reforms to hands-on engineering projects—illustrates a comprehensive approach to addressing the challenges faced by Indigenous communities due to environmental changes. Her recognition as a Champion for Change by the Center for Native American Youth and her features in prominent publications underscore her influence and the broad acknowledgment of her efforts to foster a more inclusive and sustainable future.
Charitie Ropati’s journey is not just a testament to her dedication but also a call to action for integrating Indigenous perspectives in global discussions on sustainability and climate justice. Her work continues to inspire and lead towards more resilient and adaptive communities worldwide.
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