The Community Assessment of Renewable Energy and Sustainability (CARES) is a multidisciplinary team of specialists at the University of California, Berkeley. Its mission is to partner with the Pinoleville Pomo Nation in Ukiah, CA to co-design culturally-inspired programs that reflect the long-standing culture of the Pinoleville Pomo Nation.
The Pinoleville Pomo Nation (PPN), a community of 350 members in Mendocino County, is actively reclaiming their identity, culture, and community through education and sustainability initiatives. As part of this effort, I collaborated with the PPN to create and teach a one- month culturally inclusive STEAM summer camp for middle school students. The curriculum integrated essential cultural practices, such as encouraging the use of the PPN’s native language, exploring the use of medicinal plants, and discussing sustainable seaweed harvesting—a vital food source for the community. These lessons not only introduced students to science, technology, engineering, arts, and math concepts but also connected them to their heritage in meaningful ways. My work reflected the principles of co-design, ensuring the community actively shaped the program while I contributed resources and educational expertise. This approach built trust and fostered relevance, addressing systemic challenges such as the underrepresentation of Native American students in higher education while supporting the PPN’s broader goals of cultural preservation and sustainability.
