Indigenous youth engagement in environmental sustainability: Native Americans in Coconino County

Abstract

Engaging young people in environmental sustainability is a promising approach for fostering positive development among youth and communities. The purpose of this research was to examine the impact of Native American youth engagement in environmental sustainability in Coconino County. This qualitative case study focused on how a social cognitive theory influences Native American youth engagement in environmental sustainability. The results found that personal (values and attitudes), behavioral (learnings and lifestyles), and environmental (green space and environment stewardship) were the underlying themes associated with engagement of Native American youth in environmental sustainability in Coconino County which has a relatively large Native American population. In turn, the Native American youth who were given early exposure to place-based and environmental education had a positive impact on environmental sustainability in their community. This paper offered some psychosocial and behavioral science implications as well as recommended further investigation on indigenous youth engagement in social and environmental soundness. © 2018, Behavioral Science Research Institute.