ITEP was created to act as a catalyst among tribal governments, research and technical resources at NAU, various federal, state and local governments, and the private sector, in support of environmental protection of Native American natural resources. ITEP was established at NAU in 1992, in cooperation with USEPA. ITEP accomplishes its mission through several programs.
ITEP strengthens tribal capacity and sovereignty in environmental and natural resource management through culturally relevant education, research, partnerships and policy-based services.
ITEP has grown from the air quality program into at least several different programs. Listening to the tribes has helped us develop programs and curriculums that sustain our ways of being and continue them for the next generations to come. This includes:
- Air Quality
- Water Quality
- Waste & Response
- Tribes & Climate Change Program
- Data Management
- Educational Outreach Program
- National Environmental Information Exchange Network
Virgil Masayesva Scholarship Fund
Virgil was from the Hopi Tribe and the co-founder and director of the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) at NAU. As a director, Virgil directed and managed ITEP's tribal environmental training programs and was instrumental in establishing ITEP's air quality programs including the American Indian Air Quality Training Program and the Tribal Air Monitoring Support Center and many other programs dedicated to the protection and preservation of tribal resources and tribal environmental management.
Tribes throughout the country have benefited from the environmental training, professional assistance, and conferences that ITEP provides. Through Virgil's work and commitment in providing training and workshops, he has changed the direction of tribal resources and the development of environmental management in Indian country forever.
In honor of his dedication and vision to serving Tribes in caring for their communities and environment, ITEP has and will continue to raise funds to support our rising young Tribal professionals in their educational and career endeavors. Your generous gift, however big or small, will provide financial support to students which will only allow them to achieve their educational goals.
Your gift will support future student scholarships.
Every gift—no matter the size—helps create life-changing experiences for our students. Thank you for believing in the power of Lumberjack giving.
