An Indigenous Led and Inspired Scholars Program
Caleb’s wish for a conservation-focused scholars program was born out of the recognition that the Arctic’s Indigenous people have a unique place in the modern, niche field of conservation. The Caleb Scholars Program supports young people to carry on this legacy through their pursuits to engage in conservation-related issues facing the Arctic—now, and into the future.
In his honor, the Caleb Scholars Program is a unique advocacy development program that takes a multifaceted approach to support our scholars; we invest in five components that are key to developing Inuit led conservation advocacy including: community connection, cultural connection, professional development, mentorship support, and monetary support.
Caleb was motivated to see an increase of Alaskan Inuit in fields related to conservation, responsible development, the protection of subsistence rights and cultural heritage, and an increase in the number and visibility of strong Alaskan Inuit leaders. Our program has helped in achieving these goals through a focus on cultural, educational, and professional training strategies.
Our Mission
The Caleb Scholars Program supports Alaska Native students from Arctic regions. Our scholars continue Caleb Pungowiyi’s legacy of advocacy by stewarding our ancestral knowledge and protecting our Arctic communities and ecosystems.
Our Vision
Empowered Alaska Native scholars: leading the way to thriving ecosystems through ancestral knowledge and stewardship.
The Caleb Scholars Program is an innovative, Inuit-led conservation advocacy development program focusing on five key components:
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- Cultural and community connection
- Professional development
- Wellness support
- Mentorship support
- Financial support(scholarship funding, internship/research funding, extracurricular funding)
The purpose of our program is to honor and carry forward the legacy of Caleb Lumen Pungowiyi by providing financial and community support for individuals pursuing higher education, with the goal of cultivating Alaskan Inuit leaders and advancing Inuit-led conservation advocacy. Inuit-led conservation advocacy must begin in Inuit Nunaat.
Our Values
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- A commitment to community and conservation advocacy
- A commitment to perpetuating Inuit culture, values, and tradition
- A commitment to sharing and cooperation in relation to resources
- A commitment to preserving subsistence practices
- A commitment to personal, professional, and academic growth
