Native American (American Indian)/Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are significantly underrepresented in the leadership of federal scientific and resource regulatory agencies and the U.S. science and engineering workforce. Their ownership of tribal lands and mineral rights, ability to adapt and thrive in extreme climates, and their knowledge of long-term weather and water patterns, are critical to the development of sustainable hazard mitigation planning for weather and water extremes. This discussion will present data on the participation of AI/AN in academic disciplines related to water and weather and the level of success this population has in earning advanced degrees that are needed to successfully compete for leadership positions with public and private scientific organizations.