access to programs because they're not located in funded states, and state programs are not implemented by tribes. After tribes fought for inclusion, the CDC provided funding for COVID-19 "preparedness and relief," though this shift was hard-won.
What's being done?
Solutions to problems of environmental pollution may be most successful when they are designed and led by Native people who know the local tradition and meaning of homes and the relationships and practices of people who live there. Native-led COVID-19 relief efforts have met many tribal needs, and the same may be true of long-term housing solutions.
National and local programs funded through the Environmental Protection Agency support tribal initiatives in air pollution prevention and mitigation. Local initiatives also build knowledge and skills. For example, the Cold Climate Housing Research Center at the University of Alaska Fairbanks has worked with Native Alaskans to design and build healthy, energy-efficient prototype homes that meet each community's unique environment and needs, then shared the construction plans online.
Red Feather Development group, a nonprofit organization led by a Native American board, hosts workshops with a professional stove designer to train people to maintain stoves and helps families swap out poorly functioning stoves for cleaner and more energy- efficient options. The group also teaches people how to weatherize homes and helps improve homes for elders.
The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals has a network of pro- fessionals and students working to stay up to date on clean air research and strategies throughout the U.S. This helps American Indian college students gain knowledge and skills to become future leaders in environmental health. These organizations are developing plans to reduce disparities related to environ- mental health while honoring the strength and structure of tribal nations and the people who live there.
The promise of solar power and other clean energy also brings hope for reducing air pollution in homes. The Native-led organization Native Renewables trains and educates people living on the Navajo and Hopi reservations about solar power and other clean energy options and installs clean energy systems on a small scale. Grid Alternatives provides workforce development, education and financing for solar power and other renewable energy for tribes.
The pandemic could soon begin to subside as the vaccine rollout gains momentum, but health disparities will remain. We believe that larger national programs implemented and led by Native people in tribal communities are crucial for saving lives and traditions and ensuring clean air for everyone.
Explore further
High rates of COVID-19 on American Indian reservations—water and language barriers affect risk
Provided by The Conversation
This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
... continued from previous page 19.
https://phys.org/news/2021-03-indoor-air-pollution-problems-native.html
20