ABSTRACT
The authors provide an example of how an Environmental Health Literacy framework can be used to understand the movement of communities from identifying environmental health risks through addressing environmental health inequities. The Guardians of the Living Water program, an Indigenous-led research partnership, used such a framework, complemented by a community-based participatory approach to address local water-related environmental health inequities. The authors highlight three recommendations for promoting equitable environmental health education and research. First, community–academic partnerships can support the development of clear, culturally appropriate environmental education and research efforts. Second, engaging youth in environmental research and education can be an effective way to reach the broader community. And third, using a strengths-based approach to environmental education and research provides equitable opportunities for Indigenous youth to see themselves as scientists engaging in locally relevant STEM education. Community engagement was central to the success of the ongoing efforts in the Apsáalooke community, including the Guardians program.
