tribes/first nations climate summit proceedings - december 2017 · 2018-03-20 · tribes and first...

TribesandFirstNationsClimateSummit:Proceedings 1

Tribes/FirstNationsClimateSummitProceedings-December2017ExecutiveSummaryOnDecember13-14,2017,over150membersoftheregion’sTribesandFirstNationsgatheredinNorthernWashingtonforauniqueandimportantevent.Theycametogethertoassessprogressthathasbeenmadeunderstandingandpreparingforthemanywaysinwhichourrapidlychangingenvironmentaffectstraditionalwaysoflife.This2-dayeventfocusedonfourmaintopics--traditionalknowledges,culturalandsubsistenceresources,planningtosupportcommunityresiliency,andpolicyissues.Ontraditionalknowledges,thediscussioncoveredmanyaspectsofhowindigenousknowledgesareshapingclimatechangecollaborations,andwaystoensureappropriateprotocolsareupheldandknowledgesareprotected.Severalcasestudiesandguideswereexaminedtoexploretherangeofmethodologicalapproachesforgathering,protecting,andapplyingtraditionalknowledgesinwaysthatprotectandadvanceprioritiesofindigenouscommunities.Next,theforumexaminedanumberofculturalandsubsistencevulnerabilitystudiesthatprovideinsightsonwhatthefuturemightholdforavarietyofplants,animals,places,andculturesthatareimportanttoindigenouscommunities.Discussionalsoincludedadditionalchangespeopleareobservingacrossthelandscape,andtoolsfordocumentingchange.TribesandFirstNationshaveshownrealleadershipdevelopingandimplementingadaptationplansthatlayoutstrategiestoadaptto(andguide)thesechangingconditionsinwaysthatsupportcontinuedresiliencyandmaintaintraditionalculturesandvalues.Onthistopic,severalexampleswereprovidedfromAlaska,BritishColumbia,Washington,OregonandNorthernCalifornia.Theaimwasto1)identifybestpractices,approaches,scalesforvulnerabilityassessmentsandadaptationplanning;2)developstrategiesforimplementationactionsderivedfromadaptationplanning;and3)discussavailableresourcesandfutureneedstosupportplanning.Lastly,theparticipantshadconversationsonwaystomaintainmomentumofthisworkwithintheever-changingpolicyandbudgetenvironments.Inadditiontothesefourtopics,theparticipantsenjoyedaseriesof15“lightningtalks”whichhighlightedavarietyofstudies,tools,resources,andcollaborativeprocessesavailabletoassistongoingworkonclimateadaptationandresiliencyplanning.Theagendaincludedanumberofkeynoteaddressesandinsightsfromtriballeadershipwithinthenorthwestandbeyond.RegionalleadershipspeakersincludedTheresaSheldonandTerryWilliams,TulalipTribe;FawnSharp,PresidentofQuinaultIndianNation;BrianCladoosby,ChairmanoftheSwinomishTribe;KyleWhyte,PotawatomiNation;SonnyMcHalsie,Sto:loFirstNations;JoeHostler,YurokTribe;EricMorrison,AlaskaNativeBrotherhood;DavidRedhorse,BIA;DonSampson,AffiliatedTribesofNorthwestIndians;andmanymore.TheforumwassupportedbytheTulalipTribes,theNorthPacificLandscapeConservationCooperative(NPLCC),BIA’sNWRegionalOffice,theAffiliatedTribesofNorthwestIndians,andtheUniversityofOregon’sPNWTribalClimateChangeNetwork.Additionalinformationaboutthisevent,aswellasthefinalreports,canbefoundathttp://atnitribes.org/climatechange/events/.ManythankstothetriballeadershipoftheNPLCCandtheNPLCCSteeringCommitteeforenvisioningtheneedforthissummitandprovidingsupporttohelpmakeitasuccess.ThisdocumentisasynthesisofthenotestakenduringtheplenarysessionsandbreakoutsduringtheSummit.ThenotesareintendedtoprovidetheperspectivesofandsuggestionsmadebytheparticipantsattheSummitandtoprovidespecificideasonmovingforwardwithcollectiveactionsamongtribesandFirstNationstoaddressclimatechange.Note-takerstookover50pagesofrawnotes,andthereareundoubtedlyomissionsinthissynthesis.Ifyouhavekeymessagesandrecommendationsthatyouwouldliketoseeaddedtothisdocument,[email protected]@uoregon.edu.


OpportunitiesforCollectiveActionThefollowingactionswereidentifiedfromdiscussionsofgapsandneedsforeachofthefourthemesoftheSummit.TraditionalKnowledgesPlace-basedtraditionalknowledgeshavedevelopedthroughpeoples’relationshipsandexperiencesonthelandandarecriticaltounderstandinghow“natural”environmentsfunction,howtheyhavebeenmaintainedandnurtured,andhighlighttheproblemsanddisconnectsinourenvironmentstoday.• Traditionalknowledgeshave"aplaceinthecircle"inunderstandingandmanaginglandsthatisdifferent

from,butnolessimportantthan,westernscientificknowledgeandshouldinformscientificstudy,managementpoliciesandpractices.

• TribesandFirstNationsshouldadopttheirownspecificguidelinesandprotocolsforusingtraditionalknowledgesinanyproject,studyorothercollaborativeeffort.Guidelinesshouldincludeareviewprotocoltoapprovemethodsforprojectsinvolvingtraditionalknowledge,whichincludesdatasharingagreementsandFreedomofInformationActconsiderationforgovernmentprojects,andenforcementmeasuresifguidelinesarenotfollowed.

• Traditionallandusepractices,stemmingfromtraditionalknowledge,shouldbebroughtbackintocontemporarylandusemanagementpolicytodevelopresilientecosystems,restoreimportanthabitatsandprotectimportantculturalsitesandvalues.

• Collaborativeprojectswithtribescanengagetraditionalknowledgestodevelopunderstandingsofbaselineconditionstobetteridentifyandaddressesenvironmentalchangesthatareobservedtoday,includingchangesinphenologyandinimportantspeciespopulations.

• Traditionalknowledgesmustbeprotectedfrommisuse,culturalappropriationandcommodificationashasoftenoccurredwhentraditionalknowledgehasbeenshared.

• Traditionalknowledgescanfosteraholisticunderstandingofnaturalenvironmentsthatincludesroleandresponsibilityofhumans,butalsotheroleinhealthyenvironmentsinhumansocialandspiritualwell-being.

• CarefulsharingofTraditionalKnowledgescanhelpthespreadawarenessoftraditionalknowledges,butcanalsobegintoshiftbroadersocietalvaluestoincorporaterespect,responsibilityandreciprocitytoallhumanandnonhumanrelations.

• TransmissionofTraditionalKnowledgeiscriticaltoathrivingculture.o Focusonyouthengagementincludingthedevelopmentofcurriculainclassrooms,bothonandoff

contemporarytriballandso Strengtheningthepresenceofindigenousplacenamesthroughoutalllandso Developmentofsocialandphysicalinfrastructurethatencouragespeopletogatherincommunitiesto

shareknowledge.o Strengtheningindigenouslanguagestoshareconceptsthatmaynottranslatewellintowestern

languages.

CulturalandSubsistenceResources TribesandFirstNationshavebeenexperiencingchangeontheirlandsfromtimeimmemorialtothepresentday.Throughthislongandunprecedentedtenureontheland,manyareobservingecologicalsystemsingreatfluxincludingimpactstoimportantspiritfoodsseeninstrugglingnativesalmonpopulations,increasedincidenceofparalyticshellfishpoisoning,reductionofquantityandqualityofroots,berriesandothermedicinalandsustenanceplants,increaseinnon-nativeandinvasivespecies,aswellasshiftingseasonalconditionsthataffecttraditionalgatheringcalendarsandthepeoples’abilitytotendtotheland.• Traditionallanduseandmanagementpracticescanbebroughtbacktomanaginglandsthroughco-

managementoflandsandresources,involvementinregionalregulatoryprocessesandupdates,andintroducingflexibilityininstitutionalcalendarsandleavepoliciestoprovidetimefortraditionalgathering,tendingandmonitoring.


• TribesandFirstNationswillcontinuetospearheadandengageinenvironmentalandresourcesstudiestounderstandchangesandplanforaresilientfuture,suchasstudiesintribalcarbonfootprints,sealevelrise,oceanacidification,culturalheritagesites,monitoringenvironmentalchangeandvulnerabilityassessments.

• TribesandFirstNationscanworkacrossregulatoryborderstoshareknowledgeacrossscalesfromthetribetotheregion;toillustrate“big-picture”changesacrosstheregionthroughtime;andtocollaborateandshareresourcesandexpertiseinordertobuildoneachother’sworkandfindsynergiesacrosstheregion.

• Environmentaleducationcenteredonyouthshouldbeextendedbeyondtheclassroomandembracedinfamiliesandcommunitiesonthelandtoensuretraditionalknowledgeandpracticecanthrive.TribesandFirstNationswillcontinuetoinnovateeducationalmethodsincludingculturecamps,curricula,elderandyouthprograms,anddevelopingeducationalcalendarsandleavepoliciesthatallowfamiliestoengageintraditionalgathering,tendingandmonitoring.

• Tribesandcommunitiesarebuildingontraditionalknowledgeoflandandplantsbyplantinggardensthatincludefirstfoodsandmedicinalplants;andbydevelopingnativeplantnurseriestopropagateimportantplantsforuseinceremonies,meals,medicines,ecologicalandhabitatrestoration,aswellashighwayprojects,aswaytoreindigenizethelandscape.

PlansandActionsforResiliencyPlanningandassessment:• Theprocessfordevelopingandimplementingclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentsandadaptation

plansmustbeadaptivetomeetindividualtribalneeds.Theseplansandresourcesshouldbecreatedtobelivinganddynamicmaterialsthatarereflectiveofthechangingstagestribesareatinaddressingclimatechange.

• Theremustbedirectfundingandcapacitybuildingsothattribescanengageindevelopingandimplmentingplansandactionsforclimateresiliency.

• Promotecollaborationandleverageresourcestoensurelong-termsustainabilityandimplementationofclimateresiliencyefforts.

Youthengagement:• Workwithyouthonclimateaction.• Youthengagement,outreach,andeducationiscriticalindevelopingplansandactionsforclimateresiliency.• Holdaconferencededicatedtoyouthengagementandeducationonclimatechange.• Socialmediaisanimportantplatformforoutreachandeducationfortribalyouth.TribalMemberandLeadershipEngagement:• Engageandbuildcapacityfortribalmembers,triballeaders,andtribalstafftoaddressclimatechange.• Factorclimatechangeintoabroadsetofissuesthattribesareworkingthroughouttribaldepartmentsso

thatcultural,social,economic,andenvironmentalprogramsarealladdressingclimatechange.TribalClimateChangePolicy• Ensurethattribeshaveapermanentroleindecisionmakingaboutclimatechangepolicyinregional,

nationalandinternationalforums.• Identifythepolicyopportunitiesthatmayhelptogeneraterevenuefromtheregulationofgreenhousegas

emissions(throughcarbontaxes,capandtrade,etc.)thatwouldsupporttribalclimatechangeadaptationmeasures.

• Tribesmusttakeanactiveroleinimprovingsocialandenvironmentalstandardsintechnologyandindustry,andspecificallyinunderstandingtheriskstotribesinrelationshiptocertainindustries(e.g.,mining).


Tribes/FirstNationsClimateSummitProceedings-TableofContentsExecutiveSummary..........................................................................................................................................1SessionSummaries,KeyMessagesandRecommendations...............................................................................5

Day1OpeningPlenary..................................................................................................................................5SessionSummary:.............................................................................................................................................5KeyMessages:..................................................................................................................................................5

TraditionalKnowledgesPlenaryandBreakoutSessions................................................................................5SessionSummary:.............................................................................................................................................6PlenaryRemarks...............................................................................................................................................6BreakoutKeyMessages....................................................................................................................................71.Howcantraditionalknowledgebeusedappropriatelytoadvancetribalinterestinresourcemanagementdecisions?.........................................................................................................................................................72.Aretraditionalknowledgesbeingprotected?..............................................................................................73.Wherearethegapsorneeds?......................................................................................................................8Recommendations............................................................................................................................................8

Day1LunchKeynote:NationalClimateAssessment.....................................................................................9SummaryofIssues............................................................................................................................................9KeyMessages:..................................................................................................................................................9

Cultural&SubsistenceResourcesPlenaryandBreakoutSessions...............................................................11SessionSummary:...........................................................................................................................................11BreakoutSummaries......................................................................................................................................11Haveculturallysignificantfoodsorresources“firstfoods”,beenimpactedinyourarea?...........................12Howandwhyarethosefoodsorresourcesimportanttoyouandyourpeople?..........................................12Recommendations:What,ifanything,areyoudoingtopreserve,protect,andperpetuatethesefoods/Resources?...........................................................................................................................................13

Day2OpeningPlenary................................................................................................................................14SessionSummary:...........................................................................................................................................14

PlansandActionsforResiliency..................................................................................................................14SessionSummary............................................................................................................................................14KeyMessages..................................................................................................................................................14Recommendations:.........................................................................................................................................15

Day2LunchKeynote:Ambassador(ret.)KeithHarper,CherokeeNation....................................................16SessionSummary............................................................................................................................................16

PolicyPlenary.............................................................................................................................................17SessionSummary:...........................................................................................................................................17KeyMessages..................................................................................................................................................17

Appendix1:ResourcesandLinks....................................................................................................................19Appendix2:PosterSessionAbstracts.............................................................................................................20


SessionSummaries,KeyMessagesandRecommendationsDay1OpeningPlenarySessionSummary:DonSampson,ATNIClimateChangeProjectDirector.DonSampsonwelcomedparticipantstotheFirstTribesandFirstNationsClimateSummit,recognizedtriballeadersinattendanceattheSummit,andthankedtheorganizersandleadershipcommitteefortheSummit.WelcomesandInvocationweregivenby:TheresaSheldon,Secretary,TulalipTribeBoardofDirectors&2ndVicePresident,ATNIExecutiveBoard;LeonardForsman,ChairmanSuquamishTribe&President,ATNIExecutiveBoardandEricMorrison,President,AlaskaNativeBrotherhood.TheKeynotewasgivenbyFawnSharp,President,QuinaultIndianNation.KeyMessages:• “Whathappenstotheearthhappenstous.”-PlenarySpeakerTribalCouncilwomanSheldonopenedherremarksbyrecognizingthattheindigenouspeopleshavebeenattheforefrontofclimatechange.Sheemphasizedtherolethateachindividualhastoaddresstheseissuesandencouragedparticipantstotaketheopportunitytotakethisinformationhomeandsharewithtriballeadersandtribalmembers.ChairmanForsmanemphasizedtheurgentnatureofclimatechangeandhighstakeseffortsitwilltaketosavetribalhomelandsfromtheeffectsofclimatechange.HenotedthatinWashingtonDC,theAdministrationisfocusingonthetermresiliency,butherecognizedtheworktribesareengagedintoaddressclimatechangeishavinganimpactandthatwemustcontinueinvestinginclimatechangeadaptationandaddressingtheimpacts.ChairmanForsmanemphasizedtheimportanceofnativevoicesintheseissuesandtokeeptellingourstories.EricMorrisonexpressedhisgratitudetoTulalipTribe.Hefocusedontheimportanceoftribalknowledgeaboutculturalandtraditionalwaysoflifeinunderstandingandrespondingtoclimatechange.PresidentSharpspokeofthesignificantefforttribesintheNorthwestandacrossthecountryismakingtobringtheconversationaboutclimatechangetostateandnationalpolicymakers.Shefocusedherremarksonthefutureassomuchofthechallengeofclimatechangestemsfromdecadesofinaction.PresidentSharpstatedthatclimatechangeisthemostsignificantchallengefacingourgeneration,andthattheknowledgestoharnessthesechallengesarewithinIndianCountry.PresidentSharpspokeofthetraditionalteachings,traditionalknowledges,traditionalecologicalknowledge,andtruthsthatareneededtobringintothefoldoftribaldecisionmaking.OtherkeymessagesthatPresidentSharpshared:• “Weareeffectivebecauseourscienceisnotforsaleandcan’tbebenttomeetpoliticalagendas.”• Challengepeopletoconsiderwhatarethosethingsthatwearedoingtodaytosolvethiscrisistenyears

fromnow?Whatarethestrategicinvestmentsyouarechallengingyourstafftomake?Whatmadethedifference?Howstrategicaretheytoaligntheinvestmentsinclimatemitigationandadaptationwiththesciencethatwehave?Beardownandunderstandtheproblemsandissuesfromthescientists.

• “Wearen’tjustadvocatingforourinterestsforhumanity.It’snotjustaboutus.Let’snotforgettheteachingsfromthesalmonswimminguptheriver.Thatisourteaching.Thesalmoncannotmakethejourney–it’sourresponsibilitytoprotectanddefendandadvocateforthesacredanimals,theecosystems,allthingsareconnected.”

• “Intheabsenceofstateandnationalpolicy,it’swithus.TribalNationscanoccupytheleadershipvoid.ThesolutionsarewithinIndianCountry!”

TraditionalKnowledgesPlenaryandBreakoutSessions


SessionSummary:ThepurposeoftheSessionwastounderstandhowtraditionalknowledgesareshapingclimatechangecollaborationsandtoensureappropriateprotocolsareupheldandknowledgesareprotected,reviewarangeofmethodologicalapproaches,anddiscussoutcomesandgapbyreviewingcasestudies.ThesessionfocusedonareviewofhowtheGuidelinesforConsideringTraditionalKnowledgesinClimateChangeInitiativesarebeingusedinstudiesinvolvingtraditionalknowledges,examininghowtribesaredevelopingprotocolsfortraditionalknowledgesandhighlightingopportunitiesforsynergywithtraditionalknowledgeandwesternknowledgesystems.Speakersincluded:• KyleWhyte,(Potawatomi),MichiganStateUniversity:“GuidelinesforConsideringTraditionalKnowledgesin

ClimateChangeInitiatives”• SonnyMcHalsie,Sto:loFirstNations:“FirstNationsTraditionalKnowledge”• JoeHostler,YurokTribe:“YurokTraditionalKnowledgeandClimateChange:SomeSafeguardsandThingsto

ConsiderwhenusingTraditionalKnowledge.”TheBreakoutSessionsaskedthefollowingquestions:1. Howcantraditionalknowledgebeusedtoappropriatelytoadvancetribalinterestinresourcemanagement

decisions?2. Aretraditionalknowledgesbeingprotected?3. Wherearethegapsorneeds?PlenaryRemarksKyleWhytespokeabouttheGuidelinesforConsideringTraditionalKnowledgesinClimateChangeInitiatives,offersguidelinesfortribes,agencies,organizationsonorganizingcollaborativeagreementsandrelationshipsinvolvingTKsandprinciplesforengagement.Someofhiskeymessagesincluded:• “Thetopicofclimatechangeisnotnew.We’vebeendevelopingourknowledgesystemsandscientific

understandingfordecades.”• “Whenworkingwithtribes,researchersmustunderstandthattheyareactuallybuildinginstitutionsof

mutualaccountability.”• “Tribestakeleadershiptodaytomaintainexistingknowledgesystems.”SonnyMcHalsiesharedstoriesandoralhistoryfromhisculture.Hesaidthesestoriesareconsideredwhenmanagingresources.Someofhiskeymessagesincluded:• “Wehavealwayslivedhere.”Complexrelationshipwithlandandresources,reinforcedbylinguistics.

Aspectsofcultureandhistorythatprovidesconnectiontolandandresponsibilitytocareforit.• Takecareofeverything–andthewaywewerewitheverything.Rememberthefuturegenerations.• Ourknowledgehelpsusdealwithclimatechange.Wearesurvivors.Weallhaveourownoralhistories,

floods,famine,epidemics.Wesurvived.Watertemps,airquality,winds,salmon,fishdeclines.Wantinformationtobehelpful.

• “linguistssaythelongerpeoplehavelivedinanarea,themorecomplextheirlanguagebecomes.”• “thisisourland,we’lltakecareofeverythingthatbelongstous.Thatisnotonlyanexpressionoflandand

titles,butalsoofourstewardship.JoeHostler,YurokTribespokeabouttheYurokElderInterviewProjectonTraditionalEcologicalKnowledge.Yuroktribalclimatechangeeffortsincludeanadaptationplan,vulnerabilityassessment,landmanagementplanning.CommunityscopingunderpreviousclimatechangegrantfundingidentifiedTEKasatopresearchpriority.Someofhiskeymessagesincluded:• YurokTEKisbaseduponafundamentalprincipleofrespect.Respectforalllivingthings.Traditional

knowledgeisbasedonrespectandtrustisimportant• “Whoownstheknowledge?Isitthetribalgovernment,thefamilies,theknowledge-keeper?Wecameto

theconclusionthatthetribeisthefrontdoor.”


• NPLCChasrequiredsubstantiveinvolvementwithtribal/firstnations.PurposeofthegrantwastodemonstratehowTEKcanbeintegratedwithNPLCCandtoIDunmetinformationneedsofTribesandfirstnationsregardinghownaturalandculturalresourcesmaybeaffectedbyClimateChange.SensitivityregardingTribal/firstnationsknowledge:

Asawitnesstotheplenary,Pattyreflectedontheimportanceofaskingwhatistakingplace,didtheydoitinagoodway?“IthonoredusallasNativepeoples.Itwillimpactmy13grandchildren.”• “We’vealwaysbeenresilient.”• “Summitattendeesarethegiftsunderthislonghouse–youneedtocometogetherandwraptogetherwith

acedarropeitwillnotbreak.Loveoneanotherandstandtogether.Thankstothewarriorsatthetableandthosedoingthegoodwork.Weneedthemasmuchasweneedsongsanddances.”

BreakoutKeyMessages1.Howcantraditionalknowledgebeusedappropriatelytoadvancetribalinterestinresourcemanagementdecisions?

• Tribesneedtouseourhistoriesandstabilizestatisticstobeabletoaccuratelycarryoutplanning• “Weneedtoconsiderwatershedsandthenaturalboundaries.FromGlaciersdowntothebay,every

specieshasafunction.TKbringsbacktheknowledgeofthosesystemstotryandrestore.”• “Ourscienceisequaltowesternscience,andweknowthatitshouldbeupheldthesame.”• Asphenology,orthetimingofseasonalphenomena(e.g.whenplantssprout),ischangingforimportant

culturalresources,traditionalknowledgecanhelpinassessinganddocumentingchangesthroughtime.• LearnandteachplacenamestohelpunderstandrelationshipstoplaceacrossanIndigenouslandscape,

especiallyforyouth.• Needtoinvolvetribesearlyinprojectsandneedtoincorporateyouth.• Triballiaisonstogovernmentagencies,academicinstitutions,ornonprofits,canhelpincommunicating

tribalinterests.• Knowledgeoffirstfoodsandhowtheyarechanging.• Itisimportanttohavetraditionalknowledgeprotectionsinwriting,especiallyconcerningFreedomof

InformationAct(FOIA)andgovernmentcontracts.• Traditionalknowledgecanbethedrivingforcethattiestogethermanydifferenteffortsinlearning

aboutandprotectingnaturalresources.• TraditionalknowledgecanadvancetribalinterestsinresourcemanagementbychallengingUS

Governmentpoliciesandactions.• EducatingyouthisanotherwayofusingandstrengtheningTEK.OnecommunityofferedTribalCivics

class.AnotherTribehadatwoweektribalyouthexchangeprogram.Educationalneed,youthandchildrenintraditionalknowledgeandnon-Nativecommunity…atayoungage–youthcampsforNativeandnon-Nativestudents–bothwillbeleaders.Strengthenandeducatethosearoundus.

2.Aretraditionalknowledgesbeingprotected?• Dowehavethingsinplacetoprotectthatknowledgeanddowewantthat?• Tribalinstitutionalreviewboards• Astheelderspass,howisthatbeingpasseddowntotheyouth?• Keepourstoriesinourhomelands• Youthengagement• “Tribescandrivetheseconversations…wewantpeopletostartmakingtheseshifts.It’saboutmaking

thesestatementsandhavingtribescontrolthat”–tribalcontrolindirectingthedecisions.• “Wewantthemtolearnsomethingfromthesestoriesbutwedon’twantthemtotakethestories

themselves”.• Sensitivesitesarebeingrevealedastribesworkonnaturalresourceprojects,andexposedtoincreased

visitationfromapublicuneducatedinandunfamiliarwithtraditionalharvestingpracticesandvalues,


resultingindegradationofvaluableresources.ThesearesitesthathavebeenregularlyvisitedandcaredforbyIndigenouspeoplesresultinginahealthyandvibrantpopulationsthatarenowatrisk.

• Thereareoftenfewrecoursesforenforcementoftraditionalknowledgeprotectionsonnon-triballyheldlands.

• Responsibilitytoenvironment/naturalresources/non-humanspeciesneedstodevelopedwithinthevaluesystemsofthebroadersociety,toenablebetterrelationshipstoland.

• AcademicandgovernmentagencycommunitiesthatworkwithTribesandFirstNationsneedtoeducatethemselvestobeawareoftraditionalknowledgeguidelinestopreventmisuseorappropriationofknowledge.ItisnotjusttheTribesresponsibility.Thereneedstobepro-activepoliciesinnon-nativeorganizations.

• TheTraditionalKnowledgesGuidelinesneedtobepromotedasatoolfordifferentnon-nativecommunitiestobecomeresponsivetoneedsofTraditionalKnowledgeholders.

3.Wherearethegapsorneeds?

• “Everytribeneedstohavetheirownguidelines”• “TherecouldbeastrongandsignificantmarriagebetweenTEKthatwehaveandtherightswehave

withinourreservejurisdiction,andexpandingintotraditionalterritorythatthestatemightcometoanagreementon”

• “TKrelatedtophysicalandspiritualhealth/wellnessarenotyetfullyintegratedintothediscussionofenvironmentaldegradationandclimatechangeimpacts.”

• WeneedData-sharingprotectionagreements.Whoownsandwhocanaccessthedata.Needformorerelationshipbuildingbetweentribalandnon-tribalentities.

• Buildingrelationshipsandunderstandingoftheculture.Lookingatthelong-term.“Howcanthisbenefitthetribeandmakethisapartnership?”Collaboratively.

• GovernmentalIRBandalsotribalIRB–makingsurewehaveenoughtimetoreviewBOTHofthose.• WecanbridgegapswithTKbysharingstoriesalongwithwesternscience–thereisaconnectionTEK

andwesternscience.Wejusthavetolearnhowtotranslateit.• Thegaporneedisimplementingthisinformation.WehavebothTEKandwesternscience–weneed

somethingactionablebesidesjustcollectingtheknowledge.• WeneedConnectionsbetweenyouthandelders–tellingstoriesandkeepingthemengaged,together,

andrecordingthem.Collectingallthis“data”andinformation.Butstrugglingwithwhatgoespublicandwhatwekeeptoourselves,especiallyifwearethinkingaboutamuseum.Strugglingwithappropriatecollectionofdata.

• Risingvoices–examplesofhowtoengageTEK.• Needtodevelopawaytoreachouttothosewhoareexploitingtheresources• Needtoinstillarespectfortheearthwithinbroadersociety.• Thereisaneedtodevelopwaystoprotectsensitivesitesandincludeenforcementmeasures.Thisneeds

tobeinwritingwhendevelopingnewcontractsornaturalresourceprojectwork.• Needtodeveloptrustbetweentraditionalknowledgeholdersandthoseworkingwiththem,toensure

traditionalknowledgeswillbeprotectedandappropriatelyengagedwith.• Treatyrightsneedtobeincorporatedwhereapplicable.

Recommendations• “Takesomethingfromthestorybutnotthestoryitself.”• PromoteDataSharingAgreements

o whatthetribeswanto whoownsandcanaccessthedatao needformorerelationshipbuildingbetweentribalandnon-tribalentities


• CreateTransparencyandeducationforpublicagenciesengaginginpartnershipwithtribes• Youth/elderengagementinsharingoftraditionalknowledgesDay1LunchKeynote:NationalClimateAssessmentSummaryofIssuesThedraftofthe4thNationalClimateAssessmentisopenforpublicreviewthroughJanuary31,2018.SpeakersincludedKyleWhyte,PotawatomiTribe,4thNationalClimateAssessment(NCA)–IndigenousPeoplesChapter,andGabrielleRoesch-McNally,NWClimateHubandMikeChang,MakahTribediscussingtheNorthwestChapterofthe4thNCA.PNWNativepeoplehavebeenlookedtofromacrosstheU.S.asleadersonclimatechangeworkandotherimpacts;theirleadershipontreatyrightsatrisk,howtoadapttoenvironmentalchange,andotherinitiatives.TherearetremendousmentorshereinthePNW.ThistalkistheshortversionoftheusualNCA4talk.ThecurrentversionofNCAispartoftheglobalusclimatechangeprogram.ThepurposeistoincreasepreparednessonclimatechangeintheUS;provideguidancetopeopledoingpolicyandlaw.NCA4isupforpubliccommentnow.Commentsaretobeprovidedonline–https://review.globalchange.gov/KeyMessages:• Howtoadapttochangingecosystemsisnotanewchallengeforindigenouspeoples.Tribeshavebeen

adaptingtoenvironmentalchangecausedbyoracceleratedbyhumanactions;howtohonoranddevelopnewkinshipandrelationshipswithplantsandanimalasyouandtheymove;howtoadapttochangeandrespectfullymovefromoneplacetoanother.

• TribeshavebeenvulnerabletoclimatechangeforsometimedealingwithU.S.colonialismandinteractionswithU.S.andCanada.Woodlandstructureshavebeenchangedfromtimberharvesting;pollutionbroughtintotheGreatLakes;whereyoucanfishandwhatyoucanfishimpacted;relocationstootherlands;politicalchange.

• Legacyiswehavealwaysbeenthinkingaboutclimatechangeandhowtoadapt;indigenouslanguagesare

verb-based;wehaveseasonaltraditions.

• ImportantcomponentsoftheIndigenousPeopleschapterfocusontriballivelihoodsandeconomiesatriskfromclimatechange,issuesrelatedtotreatyrightsandtribaljurisdictions;andtribalculture,healthandwell-beingareatrisk;physicalandmentalhealth.Approachesforaddressingclimatechangemustbeinterdisciplinaryandacrosseverything.Therearechallengesandopportunitiesalongthepathtosustainable,culturallyappropriatetribaladaptation.

TheNorthwestchapterincludedadiversesetofauthorsfromaroundtheregionandused2015forasetofcaseexamplesofclimate-relatedimpactsandscenarios.Keymessagesfocusonthe4thNCANorthwestChapterinclude:• Northwest’sdiversenaturalresourcesandthewaysthatproactivemanagementcanincreasetheresilience

ofnaturalresourcesandeconomies.• ValuedaspectsofNorthwestheritageandqualityoflifeincludingthenaturalenvironment,wildlife,outdoor

recreation,andTribalcultures—• Existingwater,transportation,andenergyinfrastructurethatalreadyfacechallengesfromflooding,

landslides,drought,wildfire,andheatwaves.• Theabilityofregionalsocialandhealthcaresystemstoberesponsiveintheeventofclimate-relatedhazards


• Communitiesthatwillexperiencethefirst,andmostsignificanteffectsofclimatechange,includingTribalandIndigenouspeoples,theeconomicallydisadvantaged,andthosemostdependentonnaturalresourcesfortheirlivelihoods.

Allofthespeakersemphasizedtheimportanceofgoingonlineandprovidingcomments.Authorshavetoaddressallcommentsandtheywantthistobebestreportaspossible.TheIndigenouspeopleschapterisonly6pages.Importanttoalsoprovidecommentselsewhereinthedocument(regionalandsectoralchapters)sinceimpactstoNativepeopleidentifiedthereaswell.Q&ADiscussion:Q:Howdochaptersrelatetotreatyrights?A:Importanttorecognizethatallthingsarerelated:treatyrights,culturalvalues,landrights.Acertainamountofvettingwilloccuraboutwhatisincludedinprintinresponsetocomments;commentsarewhererecognitioncanbemade-needtorecognizetherelationshipofFNandTribeswiththenation’sstates.

Comment:Continualissuewhentribesareseekingfundingopportunities-theywanttobeabletociteasmuchastheycan.Importanttousethischapterasareference.Itshouldbecitedbytriballeadersandlawyersaboutwhatisincludedintreatyrightsclaims.Comment:Therearecompetingregulations.Oneortwoplacesmaybefixedbutmorepermitsarebeingissuedsoyoucannevercatchupwhenlookingatrecovery.Importanttofirstfocusontheconceptofharmonization;second,reviewwhatthatmeans;thentakestep3andstartimplementation.PublicReviewProcess.ThepublicdraftofVolumeIIofNCA4,ClimateChangeImpacts,Risks,andAdaptationintheUnitedStates,isnowavailableforpublicreviewandcomment.USGCRP’sReviewandCommentsystemfortheThirdOrderDraftofNCA4Vol.IIcanbeaccessedHERE.TheIndigenousPeoplesChapterofthe4thNationalClimateAssessmentincludesalinktoaninteractivemappingapplicationthatwillcontinuetorecordnewresilienceactionsasTribesandPartnerswishtoreportthemtoassistothersinlearningfromtheirexample.ToreportIPResilienceActionsMapissuesoraddnewactions,usetheNCAIPActionsMapFeedbackForm.• BIANCATribalResiliencepage:https://www.bia.gov/bia/ots/tribal-resilience-program/nca• InteractiveMapofTribalClimateResilienceActions:https://www.bia.gov/bia/ots/tribal-resilience-

program/nca/• IndigenousPeoplesResilienceMap:FeedbackForm


Cultural&SubsistenceResourcesPlenaryandBreakoutSessionsSessionSummary:MikeDurglo,Salish-KootenaiTribe,andJeffHetrick,ChugachRegionalResourcesCommissionservedasco-moderatorsoftheculturalandsubsistenceresourcesplenary.Thepurposeofthesessionwastoexamineculturalandsubsistenceresourcestudiesthathavebeencompletedandlearnwhatchangespeopleareobserving,andreviewnewtoolsfordocumentingchange.Thesessionfocusedonhighlightingimportantculturalresourcesthatwarrantfurtherstudyandassessment,examininghownaturalresourcechangesareaffectingcommunitywell-being,andassessingtimingmismatcheswithshiftingresourceavailability,traditionalharvesttime,etc.Developawarenessofneededchangesinpolicy.Speakersincluded:

• JansonWong,LowerFraserFisheriesAlliance:“ClimateImpactsontheFraserRiver”• MikeDurglo,Salish-KootenaiTribe:“SalishKootenaiClimateAssessmentandAdaptationPlan”• MicahMcCarty,MakahTribe:“ClimateAssessmentandOceanImpacts”• EricaMitchell,AlaskaNativeTribalHealthConsortium:“LocalEnvironmentalObserverNetwork”• GeraldWagner,BlackfeetNation:“BlackfeetNationClimateImpacts”

BreakoutSummariesHaveculturallysignificantfoodsorresources“firstfoods”,beenimpactedinyourarea?“Weallknowtheanswerisyes,buthowso?”.Someofthepriorityspeciesthegroupidentifiedincludedsalmon,berries,roots,andtraditional/medicinalplants.Climatechangeshaveseverelyimpactedtheseresourcesandcontributetowildfire,harmfulalgalblooms,limitedaccesstotraditionalfoods,andanincreaseininvasivespecies.Thisspurredaconversationabouthowto“protect,preserve,andrestore”nativeplantspecies.Therewasdisagreementaroundwhethertheansweristobeginseedsavingandgenestudiesonnativeplantresilienceoriftheanswerliesinlookingatthelargerpictureofhowmultiplespecies,plant,animal,andfish,interactwithoneanother.Lookingattheentireecosystem,tribesmightfindmoresuccessthantryingtorestoreeachspeciesindividually.Conversely,thereiseconomicbenefittocreatingnativeplantnurseriesbecausehighwayrestorationprojectsandotherlandscapingreliesonpurchasingseedsandstartsfromthetribe.Anothertopicthatarosewasaboutengagingyouthinthecontinuationofgatheringtraditionalfoods.Western/publicschoolcurriculumdoesnotsupportcustomarygatheringpatterns.Especiallyasweatherpatternschangegatheringseasons,itbecomesmoredifficulttoplanforthosechanges.Tribalcharterschoolscanbridgethegapbetweengenerationsbycreatingcurriculumthatprovideseducationontraditionalfoodsandmakestimeforchildrentogatherwiththeirfamilies.Oureducationshouldsupportourtraditions.Culturallysignificantfoodsarebeingreduced,becomingscarceorshiftingrange,orarereadyatdifferenttimes,some,likerazorclamsarepoisonousandcausingdeath.Climatechangesarecausingchangesinhydrationpatterns.Changingweatherischanginghuntingpractices.Fishcollapseishavinganimpactonfoodresourceandcommunityhealthandwellness.In18monthssmallcommunityhadasuicideepidemicwith12deaths.Communitylinksittoalossofpurposeandabilitytocontributetofamily.Tribalcommunitiesaremakingchangesinthehome–breastfeeding.Everythingneedstobetakenoutofinstitutionsandputintoourcircle.Communitiesaredevelopingcommunitygardensandplantinginareaswherefoodspreviouslyhadbadfeelings.Comanagementstrategiesandpartnershipsaremakingitpossibletoaccessfoodsbeyondreservation.SomeTribesacknowledgetheydonothavebordersandcontinuetoprotectresourcesinCanadaandsupportTribesthere.

Thereisaneedtofocusonselfsufficiencyandnotrelyonagenciestoprovideforfamilies.


Haveculturallysignificantfoodsorresources“firstfoods”,beenimpactedinyourarea?• Oregon–doalotofgatheringoffirstfoods.Itisverydry–therootsarecominginearlybuttheyarenot

lastingverylong.Growingsoon…thenthey’regone.Theyaremuchsmallerthanusual.Liketheyusedto.Ittakesalotmoretimetogathernotasmany.Theseareasweretraditionallyburned–buttheygotawayfromthat–butnowtheyarebacktointegratingtheburning.Thereisalsoanoticeablelackofsweetness.

• Thefishingseasonshavebeengettingharderandharder–2015sockeyeyear–warmwatersinthePugetSound.Thefishweren’tcomingintothewaterintheSound.Fishermenweregoingbankrupt.

• Plantdie-offsincentralAlaska–earlywarmthbutthenanotherfreeze.• NoorcasintheSanJuanIslands–seeingdieoffsinthepopulations.Whyisitaconcern?Becauseamain

issueisstarvation–theChinookpopulationsarenotplentifulenough,andwarmerwaters,vesseltrafficconcern.

• Inadequatemanagementofthefishpens–thepensbrokeloosereleasinganundeterminedamountoffarmedAtlanticsalmon.

• Compoundingstressors• Paralyticshellfishpoisoning• HABs(harmfulalgalblooms)• Pesticidereleaseintotheenvironment• Impactstowaterquality.• Whattodo?Citizenscienceandobservationstobringtotribesandwesternentities.• Seaweed–changeinabundanceandquality.• Ketchikan–havingtotravelfartherandfarthertoliveandeattraditionalfoods.• Codandling-codeggsarenolongerinplacestheyusedtobe(nearHoh).• Flounderisnolongerfoundwhereitusedtobeforthelast40years(nearHoh).• Smelt,Razorclams,salmonandotherfishareallaffected.• Salmonberriesandwildstrawberriesaregreatlyreducedfrombefore(OlympicPeninsula).• Withoutcoldwinterstolimitmothpopulations,theyareimpactingblueberries(Alaska)• Huckleberriesaredwindling(Yakama)• Therehavebeenmanyfisheriesclosuresthisyearbecausetherearenotenoughfish.• IncreasedabundanceofSardinepopulations• Watertemperaturesinriversandinoceanareimpactingsalmon,bulltrout,steelheadandotherfish

species.• ElkincoastalBCarestayinginthelowlandsforlongerperiodsoftime.• Halibutfisheriesallocationshavebeendecreasedbyhalf.• Seastarwasting• MoosepopulationinAlaskaisincreasingasaccumulatedsnowdecreasesthroughwinterseason.Howandwhyarethosefoodsorresourcesimportanttoyouandyourpeople?• Traditionalharvesting,hunting,fishing,traditionalpractices….Theyweredifferent.Theyneedtocomeback.

Takeonlywhatyouneed.• Accesstomanyspeciesisculturallyimportantforceremonialuse.• Manyspeciesareeconomicallyimportant,e.g.salmon.• Manyspeciesareimportant,theirvaluetoculturegoesbeyondceremonialuse,butincludessustaining

everydayrelationshipstoourrelatives.• Communitieshavearealrelianceonfirstfoodsforhealthfulsustenance,especiallyincommunitieswithout

accesstoaffordablegrocerystores.• TribesandFirstNationsmanagelandscapesandresourcesthroughactiveharvesting.Takingthis

managementoutofthelandscapehasresultedinresourcedecline.


• Thereisascarcityofresourcesrelativetothosewhowantaccesstothem,resultinginmanagementconflict.ExercisingtreatyrightsisessentialtomaintainingIndigenousnaturalresourcemanagement.

Recommendations:What,ifanything,areyoudoingtopreserve,protect,andperpetuatethesefoods/Resources?• Practiceanddonativetraditionsasawayofslowingtheimplicationsontheseresources.• Cookaquaculture–ownedthenetpensthatcollapsed.Theyaremajorcorporationsdoingmajorthings–

wecanwinduponthereceivingend.• Stressor:non-nativecorporations.• Jointogethertosupporteachother.• Getridoffishfarms• Restorespawninghabitat• Learnhowtobemorepoliticalthanwewanttobe.Andinordertowinthisgame,we’regoingtohaveto

havethedata.• *Nativepeopleshaveavoice*• Stopthemining.• Tribalyouthengagement• ReduceGreenhousegases• Bringingbacktraditionalceremoniesthatrelatetowhateverwe’respeakingabout• *Demandaccountability*fromthosecausingclimatechange• addressNon-pointsourcepollution• Saveoldgrowthtrees• Asealevelrisestudy,focusingonimpactstoshellfishinnearshorespawningzones.Youthareinvolvedin

thedatacollectiontoincreasescientificliteracy.Oneendproductwillbeamapthatcaninclusivelycommunicateimpactstothelandandcommunityandwillshowwhichlandtypesaremostresilienttoclimatechange,suchasnaturalbeachversusanarmoredshore.

• Aculturalheritageinventoryalongshorelines,todocumentvaluableculturalsitesandresourcesinareassusceptibletosealevelrise.

• Environmentaleducationfortheyouththatinvolvesgettingoutandinteractingwiththeenvironment,incorporatingecologicalandculturalprinciples,todevelopholisticrelationshipstolandscape.

• RemindingfederalagenciesoftheirtrustresponsibilitiestoTribes.• AggressiveinvasiveplantidentificationandremovalprogramsonTriballands(OlympicPeninsula).• Poolingresourcesamongtribes,sharinginformationanddevelopingaspiritofcollaboration.• Continuallyupdatingandrevisitingplanningdocumentsfora“LivingClimateChangePlan”thatisresponsive

toachangingenvironment,changingknowledgeoftheenvironmentandcurrentpoliticalclimates.• Monitoringanddatagatheringeffortsonstreamconditions,harvests,etc.• Focusingonstormwatermanagementincommunitiestoaccommodateprojectionsofincreasedflowsand

runoff.• DevelopingregionalcollaborationstoenablelearningacrossTribesandFirstNations,tokeepupmomentum

andfostercreativeandeffectivepartnershipsandalliancesatalevelaboveanindividualTribeorFirstNation.

• Developingstrategiestodetectspeciesindeclinetoenableprotectionmeasuresbeforetheybecome“endangered”or“threatened”.

• Creatingclimateprojectionmapsthatassistcommunitiesinplanningforaclimatechangedfuture–precipitation,fire,vegetation,temperature,etc.(TribalSupportDeskatUWClimateImpactGroup).

• Gettinginvolvedwithregionalregulatoryupdates,suchaslong-termshorelinemanagementplansortheColumbiaRivertreatyrenegotiation.


• Simultaneouslyworkingondifferentscales–focusingonthesmall,local,Tribalscale,whilenotlosingfocusonthebigregionalpicture.

• ConductinganemissionsinventoryattheTribes/FirstNationslevel,tomonitorcarbonfootprint,enablingresponsivemeasurestoreduceimpacttoclimatechangewherepossible.

Day2OpeningPlenarySessionSummary:Day2oftheTribesandFirstNationsClimateSummitopenedwithaninvocation,openingremarksandkeynotespeakers,including:

• DonSampson,ATNIClimateChangeCoordinator• Invocation• BrianCladoosby,Chairman,SwinomishTribe• DavidRedhorse,NaturalResourcesDivisionChief,BIANorthwestRegionalOffice

PlansandActionsforResiliencySessionSummaryCo-moderatorsforthissessionwereKennethWeitzel,CentralCouncilofTlingitandHaidaIndianTribes,andKathyLynn,PacificNWTribalClimateNetwork.Thesessionpurposewastoexaminethechallengesandopportunitiesinadaptationandresiliency,andkeepprogressiveworkinmovingforward,reviewvulnerabilityassessmentsandclimateadaptationplanningintribalandfirstnationscommunitiesandworktowardsimplementingadaptationmeasures.Sessionspeakersfocusedonidentifyingbestpractices,approaches,scalesforvulnerabilityassessmentsandadaptationplanning,developingstrategiesforimplementationderivedfromadaptationplanningandidentifyingavailableresourcestosupportplanning.Speakersincluded:• KennethWeitzel,CentralCouncilofTlingitandHaidaIndianTribes:“ATlingit&HaidaTemplateforClimate

ChangeAdaptationPlanninginSoutheastAlaska.”• ScottHauser,UpperSnakeRiverTribesFoundation:“UpperSnakeRiverTribesFoundation’sVulnerability

AssessmentandAdaptationPlanningProcesses.”• JamieDonatuto,SwinomishIndianTribalCommunity:“EvaluatingHealthasaBasisforClimateChange

PlanningandResiliency.”• MichaelChang,ClimateAdaptationSpecialist,MakahTribeandHaleyKennard,MakahTribalOfficeof

MarineAffairs:“MakahTribe'sClimateAdaptationPlanandCommunityEngagementProcess”OfficeofMarineAffairs:“MakahTribe'sClimateAdaptationPlanandCommunityEngagementProcess”

Questionsforthebreakoutdiscussionsincluded:1. Whatarethebestpracticesandapproachesfordevelopingtribalclimatevulnerabilityassessmentsand

adaptationplans?2. Whatarethemosteffectivestrategiesforimplementingadaptationplansandactions?3. Whatarethemostsignificantneedsyourtribehasnowinbuildingresilienceandadaptingtoclimate

change?KeyMessagesPlanningandassessmentmodels:Participantsrecognizedtheimportanceofstartingwithtribalcorevalues.Manynotedthatprescribedwaysofconductingvulnerabilityassessmentsandadaptationplansarenotalwaysadaptiveenoughfortribalneeds.Climatechangeassessmentsandplansneedtobeadaptive,livingdocuments.Allparticipantsagreedthatthebiggestneedsareinfundingandcapacitybuilding.Thereareexamplesandtemplates/approachesalreadyavailablethataregoodtouse.ExamplesshownduringtheSummitareveryhelpful.Needtobuildonexistingtoolstofillgapsandincorporateotherways/information(examplelackof


lookingatinsects,humanhealth).Tribeshaveuniqueapproachesandneeds,alreadygreatdiversity.Availabletoolsaregoodbutadaptationoftoolsneededsincetribesnothomogenous.Youthengagement:Manyoftheparticipantsspoketotheimportanceofyouthengagement,outreach,andeducation.Somesuggestedtherewouldbevalueinaconferencededicatedtoyouthengagementandeducationonclimatechange.Participantsnotedthatsocialmediaasanimportantplatformforoutreachandeducationfortribalyouth.Thewesterneducationmodelisnotnecessarilyacompatiblemodelfornativecommunities,nativestudentsandtraditionalculture.Washingtonhasadoptedstatewidecurriculumontribalsovereignty:“SinceTimeImmemorial:TribalSovereigntyinWashingtonState.”Oregonisalsoconsideringabillmandatingcuricullumontribalhistoryandsovereibntyinthecurrentlegislativesession.Thesekindsofrequiredcurriculumcouldbeusedtobridgeengagemetninenvironmentalissuesandclimatechangeinconnectionswithtribalhistoryandsovereignty.Examplesofyouthengagementincludetribalyouthcouncilsdevelopingcleanenergyprograms,havingasciencefaironrenewableenergy,theSuquamishOceanAcidificationcurriculummodelTribalMemberandLeadershipEngagement:Thereisaneedtofurtherengageandbuildcapacityoftribalmembersandtriballeaders,aswellastribalstaffworkingindepartmentsthatshouldbeaddressingclimatechange.Forexample,sometribalforestrydepartmentshavebeenworkingonclimatechangeefforts,butothersneedmoreeducationabouthowforestryrelatestoclimatechange.Veryimportanttoengagethecommunityandgetinputfromcommunitymembers.SomeClimateadaptationplanslookliketheyarewrittenbyscientistsforscientists.Importanttoinvolveeveryoneinthecommunityindevelopingtheplansoimplementationwillbeusefultothem.SomeTribesaredoingoutreachthroughcommunicationdepartmentsandnewslettersandengagingyouthinlaborintensivecamps.Itisimportantandnecessarytoacknowledgesocialproblemsandincludethoseinplan.Itisessentialtofactorsocialissuesintoresiliencyplansandtotiepeopleandtheenvironmenttogether,include,incorporate,Nativescienceandlivelihood.Implementation• “Ourplaniscollectingdust.”Outreachandeducationhastobeongoingandthetrickypartisbuildingthe

capacitywithalltheotherthingstribesareworkingon.Keepingpeopleengagedandkeeppeoplediscussingwhatwe’redoing.Thereisaneedfortechnicalsupportandpolicysupport.

• NeedforcollaborationandleveragingresourcesOtherkeymessages:• “Developingtheplanistheeasypart,implementationisdifficult.”• “Preparingtobeadaptablemeansprovidingouryouththetoolstobeabletoactwhenthingsare

happening.”• “Thewesterneducationmodelisnotcompatiblewithtraditionalculture.Nativekidsshouldnotbeinthe

classroom,theyshouldbeinthetribe.Eldersreallyhavesomething,andcomparatively,publicschoolteachershavenothing.”

• “Ourplansneedtobelivingdocuments.Developingtheplanistheeasypart,implementationisdifficult.”• “Ifyoudon’tintegrateholisticallyitmaybechallengingtomaintainprogress.”• “Acknowledgehowindigenousscienceisvalid,acknowledgethegreatfoundationofworkwearestanding

on–ofourancestors.”Recommendations:• Workwithyouthonclimateaction• Hostaconference/summitontribalyouthengagement/educationandclimatechange.


Day2LunchKeynote:Ambassador(ret.)KeithHarper,CherokeeNationSessionSummaryAmbassadorHarpergaveakeynotefocusedon“TribalEngagementinNationalClimateChangeInitiatives.”AmbassadorHarperthankedSummitparticipantstoeveryonesharingwisdomandactionstoaddressingclimatechange.PNWtribeshavebeentheleadersinthisareaforalongtimealongwithsistercommunitiesinAK;leadershipcontinuestonationallevelaswell.Therearenomoreimportantissuesfacingourcommunities,children,grandchildrenthanclimatechange.Ifwefailtoaddressit,itwillaffecteveryone.ItisalreadyaffectingpeopleinIndianCountryandacrosstheglobe.AmbassadorHarpersuggestedthereisaneedtotakeacomprehensiveapproachonmultiplelevels–local,national,andinternational,andspecificallyincollaboratingwhenaddressingcarbonemissions.Hesharedthreeinitiativesthattribescanconsiderinvolvementin:WeAreStillIn-https://www.wearestillin.com/“WeAreStillInisthebroadestcross-sectionoftheU.S.economyeverassembledinpursuitofclimateaction.Over2,500leadersstrongandgrowing,WeAreStillInshowstheworldthatleadersfromacrossAmerica’sstatehouses,cityhalls,boardrooms,andcollegecampusesstandbytheParisAgreementandarecommittedtomeetingitsgoals.”Gov.Brown’sGlobalClimateActionSummit-https://globalclimateactionsummit.org/.InJuly,2017,Gov.BrownannouncedthatCaliforniaishostingasummittoaddressthecriticalissueofclimatechange.ItwillbeheldinSept12-14,2018inSanFrancisco.Intentistopreparefor2018UNClimateChangeConferenceor“COP24”;tojumpstartU.Sefforts;toincreasecommitmentsandinvestmentsincommunities;providedifferentlevelsofcommitments.Participationbyotherstoprovideinnovativeapproaches.Innovationiskey.Climateactionneedsinvestment.Therewillberesourcesfortribes.Tooofteninthepasttribeshavenotparticipatedequally.Thisisdifferent–tribeswillbeinvolvedatthehighestlevel.America’spledge–https://www.americaspledgeonclimate.com/.““America’sPledge”isspearheadedbyFormerNewYorkMayorandUNSpecialEnvoyMichaelBloombergandCaliforniaGovernorJerryBrown,workinginparallelwithWeAreStillIntocompileandtallytheclimateactionsofstates,cities,colleges,businesses,andotherlocalactorsacrosstheentireU.S.economy.”Basedonpropositionthatkeystakeholdersrejectthateconomyandclimatechangegoalscan’tgotogether.


PolicyPlenarySessionSummary:Thepurposeofthissessionfocusedondevelopingstrategiestonavigatewithinthecurrentpoliticalenvironment;identifyopportunitiestosustainclimatechangestudy;buildcapacityandstrengthenregionalnetworkstofacilitatepolicyobjectives;andmovetowardsprojectimplementationonthepathtoresiliency.Speakersspokeaboutmappingstrategiesfortribesandfirstnationstocontinueandsustainclimatechangestudiesandadaptationworkthatisresilienttofederallevelchangesandbuildingcapacityandstrengtheningregionalnetworkstofacilitatepolicyobjectives.Speakersincluded:• FawnSharp,President,QuinaultIndianNation:“TribalPolicyConsiderationsfortheWashingtonState

CarbonTaxPolicy”• CarinaMiller,TribalCouncilWarmSpringsTribe:“OregonCap,Trade,andReinvestlegislationandTribal

policyissuesandopportunities”TransboundaryResourcesManagement:FirstNationsandTribesworkingonclimateimpacts.

• TerryWilliams,TulalipTribe:“PugetSoundPartnershipasamodelframeworkforinstitutionalizinglong-termpolicytopromoteclimateadaptationandsalmonhabitatprotection.”

• ChairmanVernonFinley,ConfederatedSalish&KootenaiTribes• RichardPeterson,CentralCouncilofTlingit&HaidaIndianTribes:Transboundaryclimatechangeimpacts

andresourcemanagementincludingminingissuesKeyMessagesPresidentSharpopenedtheplenarywithatalkonTribalPolicyConsiderationsfortheWashingtonStateCarbonTaxPolicy.Hercommentsincludedthefollowing:

• Thepotentialforacarbontaxtogeneraterevenue,aswellasaprocessthatwouldensuretribesareatthetableandnotincludedasanafterthought.

• Ifwestandonprinciplesandrightsbutarealsoheldaccountable,thentherevenuethatweanticipatedwillbesignificant.Whilerevenuescouldbesignificant,theycannotsolveeveryproblemthatwearefacing,thereforewemusthaveavisiontounderstandwheremoneymustbefunded.

• ThekeytosolvingthisglobalcrisisdoeslieinIndiancountry• Thevoiceofthepeopleanddemocraticprocessistheonlypath,andtribalnationshaveledway

CarinaMillerpresentedontheATNIResolutiononTribalCarbonCreditsasaTrustResource.TheAffiliatedTribesofNorthwestIndianswillreviewtheattacheddraftresolutiononTribalCarbonCreditsasaTrustResourceattheATNIWinterConventionJanuary22-25,2017inPortland,Oregon.ThisresolutionstatesthatoneofATNI’smembertribes,“theConfederatedTribesoftheWarmSpringsReservationofOregonhasenteredthe“carbonsequestration”marketbyparticipatingintheCaliforniaCapandTradeProgrambasedontheWarmSpringsTribe’sImprovedForestryManagementProject,”andresolvesthat“ATNIadoptsthepositionoftheWarmSpringsTribethatrevenuefromthesaleofcarbonoffsetcreditsdirectlyderivedfrommanagementoftribalforestsareentitledtotreatmentbytheU.S.DepartmentofInterioras“trustfunds”asdefinedby25CFRSection115;”andthat"ATNIherebyrespectfullybutstronglyurgestheU.S.DepartmentofInteriortoexpresslystatetheDepartment’sacceptanceofrevenuefromthesaleofWarmSpringsandothertribalcarbonoffsetcreditsas“trustfunds”eligiblefordepositintribaltrustaccounts.”ATNIisrequestingreviewofthisresolutionandconsiderationforadoptionpriortotheWinterConvention.ChairmanFinleyandPresidentPetersonbothspokeabouttransboundaryissuesandtheneedtoaddresstheserisks(sustainableandinclusivedevelopment).Topicsincluded:

• Inordertoimprovesocialandenvironmentalstandards,tribalgovernmentshavetotakeamoreactiveroleinpromotingenvironmentalstandards–bothbusinesspracticesandbesttechnologiesthatcanbeappliedtoindustryaswellascommunityandinternationalstandards


• Seekbothnationalandinternationaldialogue• Capacitytobuildintertribaleffortsinminingindustry;weneedbetterassementofwhatthoserisksare

inordertohaveamoresustainabledevelopment• Linkbetweenextractionandclimatechangeservesaslargerdebateforclimateresilencewherethere

needstobeassessmentbetweenrisksandenvironmentaleffectsofsociety.• Seekingdatathatpointstoenvironmentalbaselineandsourcesforissues• Fundingforsustainedstudies• Permanentroleindecisionmaking(tribesrecognizedandbeabletoparticipateinpolicymaking)


Appendix1:ResourcesandLinks• AffiliatedTribesofNorthwestIndians:http://www.atnitribes.org/

o ATNIClimateChangePage:http://atnitribes.org/climatechange/o TribalandFirstNationsSummitPowerPointPresentations:o TribalandFirstNationsSummitSpeakerBios:http://atnitribes.org/climatechange/wp-

content/uploads/2017/12/T_FNForum.COMBINEDBIOS.pdf• 4thNationalClimateAssessment.https://review.globalchange.gov/

o BIANCATribalResiliencepage:https://www.bia.gov/bia/ots/tribal-resilience-program/ncao InteractiveMapofTribalClimateResilienceActions:https://www.bia.gov/bia/ots/tribal-resilience-

program/nca/o IndigenousPeoplesResilienceMap:FeedbackForm

• GuidelinesforConsideringTraditionalKnowledges(TKs)inClimateChangeInitiatives• IndigenousClimateChange&ClimateJusticeTeachingMaterials&AdvancedBibliography• TribalClimateChangeGuide• PacificNorthwestTribalClimateChangeProject• BIATribalClimateResilienceProgram• BIATribalClimateResilienceResourceGuide• InstituteforTribalEnvironmentalProfessionals(ITEP)TribesandClimateChangeProgram• ColumbiaRiverIntertribalFishCommission• NorthwestIndianFisheriesCommission• AlaskaNativeTribalHealthConsortiumLEONetwork• U.S.ClimateResilienceToolkit• NorthwestClimateScienceCenter• NorthPacificLCC• GreatBasinLCC• GreatNorthernLCC• USDAClimateHubs• NorthwestClimateHub• EPAClimateChangePrograms• ClimateAdaptationKnowledgeExchange• USDAForestServiceClimateChangeResourceCenter• ITEPNewsletter• ITEPTribesandClimateChangeCalendar• NWClimateMagazine• NWCSCCalendar• NorthPacificLCCCalendar• WeAreStillIn• GlobalClimateActionSummit• America’spledge


Appendix2:PosterSessionAbstractsPresenter:MaggieSanders,NisquallyIndianTribeandUniversityofWashingtonPosterTitle:Creatingatribally-basedtoolkittoencouragecommunity-drivenresilienceplanningAbstract:Thisprojectisatribally-basedcollaborationbetweenindigenousresearchersfromtheUniversityofWashingtonandseveralsovereigntribalnationstodevelopaclimatescienceandnativehealthtoolkitandtobetterunderstandindigenousnotionsofresilience.Thegoalsofthistoolkitaretoillustratethemostrecentclimatehealthresearch,highlightlocalhumanandenvironmentalimpacts,defineresiliencyfromalocaltribalperspective,andidentifycommunity-drivenadaptationstrategies.Inacommunity-basedadaptationgatheringwediscuss:Whatmakestribalcommunitiesmoreresilienttotheimpactsofclimatechange?Therewerefourpartstotheseworkshops.First,webeganwithanopeningprayerledbylocalcommunityleaders.Thiswasfollowedbypresentationsaboutclimatescience,localadaptationstrategies,andclimateandnativehealth.Next,participantsdiscussedresiliencyandtheirconcernsingroups.Finally,participantsgatheredinatalkingcircletodiscussprioritiesandactionplanstowardbuildingresiliency.Inthistool,nativepedagogies,nativewaysofknowingandwesternsciencewereusedtogetherasequallyvaluedknowledgesystems.Tribalmembers,leadersandscholarspartneredinthedesign,planning,andexecutionofthisproject.Anoutcomeofthisworkisascalableclimatesciencecommunicationandeducationtoolkitthatcanbeusedbyanumberoftribestopromoteknowledgeaboutclimatechangeandtobuildcapacity.Thistoolkitincludesaprotocoldetailinghowtohostacommunitygatheringtodiscusstribal-basedclimateadaptationandtwopresentationmodulesaboutclimatescience,health,tribalrightsandsovereignty.Thisprojectwillcontributetoourunderstandingaboutresiliencyamongtribesandencouragecommunityempowerment.Presenters:AmeliaMarchandandJoaquinJ.Marchand,ColvilleConfederatedTribesPosterTitle:PlanningforHolisticHealthinChangingClimateAbstract:Asimpactsofclimatechangearebeingfeltinruralreservationcommunities,theconnectiontotraditionallands,waterwaysandculturalpracticesarereignitingtosupportenvironmentaljustice,addresshealthdisparitiesandadaptthemodernfoodsystem.AmultidisciplinaryteamofprofessionalsrangingfromthefieldsofhealthandenvironmentalregulationtoNativelanguagepreservationarecollaboratingtostrengthenculturalvalues,foodsovereignty,andcreateaholisticapproachtowardadaptingtoclimatechange.Presenter:JoelGreen,HohIndianTribePosterTitle:TheImportanceofTributaryStreamsasColdWaterRefugeforSalmoninaWarmingClimate:anExamplefromtheHohRiverWatershedAbstract:ThemembersoftheHohTribehavebeenfishingforsalmonintheHohRiverforthousandsofyears.Butnow,boththepeopleandthesalmonfacethenewchallengeofclimatechange,whichbringswithitwarmerwaterintheriver.Assalmonareadaptedforlifeincoldwater,thisisaproblem.In2015-2017,werecordedwatertemperatureinboththeriverandintributarystreamsflowingintotheHohRiverfromJunethroughmid-September,usingtemperatureloggersthatrecordedtemperatureat15minuteintervalsthroughoutthesummer.Theriverfurthestdownstreamwasthewarmestoflocationswemonitored,with6weeksin2016whenthedailymaximumtemperaturesweremostlyabove63.5˚F,whichistoowarmforhealthfulrearingandmigrationofsalmonandtrout.However,insevencreeksflowingintotheLowerHohRiver,thewatertemperatureneverexceeded63.5˚F,andinfiveofthese,watertemperatureneverexceeded60.8˚F,theupperlimitforCoreSummerSalmonidHabitataccordingtoWashingtonWaterQualityStandards.Thesetributarystreamsareprovidingaplaceforthesalmontogowhentheriveristoowarm.Wefoundthetemperaturesintheriverwerewarmestinthemidtolateafternoon,butcoolerduringthenightandinthemornings.Upstreammigratingsalmonandsteelheadmayswimintheriverduringthenightandearlymorning,andfindcold-waterrefugeinthetributarystreamsduringthehotafternoons.Ourresearchpointsouttheimportanceofkeepingthosecreekscoolforthesalmon,andtheimportanceoftreesgrowingalongthecreeksinprovidingshadetokeepthestreamscool.


MeadeKrosby,UniversityofWashingtonPosterTitle:BuildingTribalCapacityforClimateChangeVulnerabilityAssessmentAbstract:Thefuturewell-beingoftribalcommunitiesreliesoneffectivelyanticipatingandrespondingtoclimateimpactsonnaturalandculturalresources.Andyet,manytribesfacedifficultiesinitiatingandcompletingthecriticalfirststepoftheclimateadaptationplanningprocess:anassessmentoflocally-specificclimaterisksthataccountsfortheuniquepriorities,values,andconcernsofindividualtribes.WedescribeacurrentprojectdesignedtosupportclimatechangevulnerabilityassessmentactivitiesbyNorthwestandGreatBasintribes.Theprimaryobjectivesoftheprojectareto:1)makethevulnerabilityassessmentprocessmoreaccessibletotribalstaffbyprovidingonlineguidancematerialstargetedtotribalneedsandcapacities;2)addressthedemandfordecision-relevantclimatedatabyprovidingdownscaledclimatedataandclimatechangesummariesfortribes;and3)supporttribalstaffthroughthevulnerabilityassessmentprocessviaworkshopsandwebinarstoprovidetrainingontheuseofprojectresourcesanddatasets,andbystaffingaTribalClimateTechnicalSupportDesktoproviderapidresponsetoquestionsaboutthevulnerabilityassessmentprocess.Weareconductingthiseffortincloseconsultationwithtribalpartners,andworkingwithexistingtribalknowledge-sharingnetworkstoconnectprojectresourcestoabroadrangeoftribalcommunities.Presenter:MeghanDalton,OregonClimateChangeResearchInstitutePosterTitle:SeekingInputonaTribally-FocusedClimateChangeAdaptationGuidebookAbstract:Changesintheclimateandnaturalenvironmentareuniquelyanddisproportionatelyaffectingtheculture,lifeways,sovereignty,communityhealth,andeconomiesofAmericanIndianandNativeAlaskanTribes.Yet,sincetimeimmemorialtribeshavemaintainedaculturaltraditiononthelandscape,demonstratingahighdegreeofresilienceinthefacingofchangingenvironmentalandsocialconditions.Manytribesarealreadybuildingresiliencetoclimatechangethroughadaptationplanning.Therearemanyguidebooksdesignedtosupportworkonclimatechangeadaptationandtoprovideframeworksthatallcommunitiescanuse.However,mostexistingguidebooksdonotconsidertheuniquetribalcontextandculture.Wearedevelopingatribally-focusedclimatechangeadaptationguidebookthataimstoidentifyopportunitiesforcombiningmultipleperspectives,includingTraditionalKnowledges,intheplanningprocess,tobuildontheexperienceandlessonslearnedfromprevioustribalandnon-tribaladaptationefforts,andtopresentclimateadaptationplanninginthecontextoftribalpriorities.Inordertocreateabetterguidebook,weinvitetribesandorganizationsworkingwithtribestoreviewapre-releaseversionoftheguidebookandcontributeexperiencesandlessonslearned.Presenter:MichaelCase,CaseResearch,LLC-UniversityofWashingtonPosterTitle:Assessingclimatechangeimpactstovegetation,fire,andecosystemservicesfortriballandsinthePacificNorthwestAbstract:Climatechangehasalreadyledtosignificantchangesinspeciescomposition,phenology,bioticinteractions,anddisturbanceregimesinwesternNorthAmerica.NativeAmericansmaybehighlyvulnerabletothesechangesbecausetheyrelyheavilyonecosystemservices,includingtraditionalfoods,hunting,timberproduction,non-timberforestresources,ranchingquality,agriculturalsuitability,culturalresources,amongothers.NativeAmericansarealsoculturallytiedtothehistoricallandscapeandrecognizemanyplacesthataresacredandoutsidetribalreservationboundaries.Inresponsetothepotentialimpacts,weappliedanintegratedassessmentandidentifiedchangestovegetation,fire,andecosystemservicesacrosstriballandsandsacredplacesthroughoutthePacificNorthwest.Specifically,weappliedadynamicgeneralvegetationmodel(DGVM)acrossWashingtonandOregonandsummarizedprojectedchangesinclimate,vegetation,andfire.Ourresultsshowsubstantialchangesinsomevegetationtypes(suchassubalpineforestsandshrubsteppe)duetoclimatechangeandfire.WethencreatedacrosswalkthatlinksspecificspeciesandecosystemservicesthatarevaluedbytribeswithDGVMsimulatedvegetationtypes.Wedemonstratehowthesechangeswillimpacteconomicallyandculturallyimportantecosystemservicesfortribes.Surprisinglysomefirstfoodsandmedicinalplantsmayincreaseinsuitablehabitatwhereasarid-landspeciesandgrazingqualityareprojectedtodecline.We


demonstratehowthisinformationwillbeusedinpartnershipwithtribalorganizationstohelpinformresourcemanagementandadaptationplanning.Presenter:ChasJones,NWCSC/ATNIPosterTitle:NWClimateScienceCenterResourcesforBuildingTribalResilienceAbstract:TheNorthwestClimateScienceCenter(NWCSC)triballiaisonseekstolearnabouttheresourcesthatareimportanttotribes,howthoseresourcemaybeatrisk,whatprojectswouldimprovetribalresilience,andhowtheNWCSCcanpromotethesuccessoftribalprojects.In2017,agrantfromtheB.I.A.allowedtheAffiliatedTribesofNorthwestIndianstohireatriballiaisontoworkwiththeNWCSCtoincreasetribalcapacityinthePNWtorespondtoclimateimpacts.TheNWCSCprovidestribalresourcemanagersandotherstakeholderswithactionablesciencethathelpstoincreasetheresilienceandadaptivecapacityoftribesintheNW.Withinformationabouttribalpriorities,theliaisoncanconnecttribestoresourcesavailablethroughtheCSCandotherresources.Inthispresentation,theNWCSCtriballiaisonwilldiscusstheeffortsoftheCSCandtheliaison,andtheCSCresourcesavailabletohelpbuildtribalresilience.GrantsfromtheB.I.A.’sTribalResilienceProgramhasprovidedfundingfortriballiaisonstobeestablishedineachoftheeightregionalCSC’s.Presenter:HollyBarton,SouthwestClimateScienceCenterPosterTitle:FourthNationalClimateAssessment Abstract:ProvidinginformationontheFourthNationalClimateAssessment(NCA4)chapteronIndigenousPeoples,NorthwestandSouthwestregions.WewilldiscusstheNCA4publicreviewprocessandhowtoprovidefeedback.Presenter:Dr.CynthiaWest,USDAForestServicePosterTitle:Climate,DroughtandCitizenSciencewithTribesAbstract:In2017,theForestServicedevelopedanonlineDroughtGallerythatincludesmaps,GISlayers,factsheets,andotherresourcesfortribes,naturalresourcespecialists,managers,GISspecialists,andthepublic.ThegalleryharnessesEsri'sArcGISOnlinetechnologytodeliveracollectionofvibrantmappingcontentbasedonscientificclimateanddroughtdata.Thedroughtgalleryisbothadatarepositoryandcommunicationtoolkittoinformandeducatestakeholdersaboutdroughtanditsimpactsonnaturalresources.Thegalleryprovidestoolsforanalyzingcurrentandprojectedchangesinstreamtemperature,streamflow,andsnowpack.Tribes,citizenscientistsandothersmayusethedroughtgalleryasaone-stopshopfordrought-relatedinformationandincludesmapsanddata,stories,photos,textandvideos.Onekeyoutcomeofthegalleryistheprovisionofasingularresourceforcredibleandcitabledrought-relateddataforpartnersinvolvedinlandmanagementplanningandisalivingrepository,andmaybemodifiedorsupplemented,asnewinformationbecomesavailable.ThistoolmaybehelpfultoTribesintheirplanningandmonitoringactivitiesbyprovidingastandardsetofdatatoconsistentlyaddressquestionsonclimateanddroughttobetteradapton-the-groundactionstoachangingenvironment.Presenter:LindaKruger,USDAForestService-PNWRSJuneauForestryLabPosterTitle:ImpactsofsubmergingandemergingshorelinesonbiotaandsubsistencelifestylesAbstract:CollaboratingwithTribalcommunitiesasresearchpartnersisimportantinordertoachieveresearchthatisresponsivetoTribalneedsandcontributestothegrowingbodyofscientificknowledge.ThisstudypresentsfindingsfromworkwithTribesinSoutheastandPrinceWilliamSoundAlaska.Presenter:HollyPrendevilleandGabrielleRoesch-McNally,NorthwestClimateHubPosterTitle:TheUSDANorthwestClimateHubEngagingTribesAbstract:TheNorthwestClimateHubispartoftheDepartmentofAgriculture’sClimateHubnetwork.IntheNorthwest,weservenaturalresourcemanagersandtribesinOregon,Washington,IdahoandAlaska.TheClimateHubslinkUSDAresearchandprogramagenciesintheirregionaldeliveryoftimelyandauthoritativetoolsandinformationtoagriculturalproducers,ranchers,forestlandownersandothertribalnaturalresourceprofessionals.ThemissionoftheClimateHubsistodevelopanddeliverscience-based,region-specific


informationandtechnologies,withUSDAagenciesandpartners,toagriculturalandnaturalresourcemanagers,includingtribalpartners,thatenableclimate-informeddecision-making,andtoprovideaccesstoassistancetoimplementthosedecisions.ThisisinalignmentwiththeUSDAmissiontoprovideleadershiponfood,agriculture,naturalresources,ruraldevelopment,nutrition,andrelatedissuesbasedonsoundpublicpolicy,thebestavailablescience,andefficientmanagement.IntheNorthwest,wearesupportinganumberofprojectsinourregionthatarebothdirectlyandindirectlyservingtribalinterests.WehighlightanumberofNorthwestClimateHubeffortsofinteresttotribes,includingaClimateResourceGuidethatisbeingdevelopedasanationalresource.ThisguideprovidesdetailedinformationonallUSDAfundingandtechnicalresourcescurrentlyavailabletotribesthatmayassistthemwithadaptingtoandmitigatingforclimatechange.ThisresourcewilleventuallybeavailableonlineinasearchableformatbutattendeesattheTribalClimateSummitwillgetafirstlookattheproduct.Presenter:JanetPrevéy,USDAForestServicePosterTitle:Howdoesclimateinfluencerangesofberry-andnut-producingnativenorthwesternshrubs?Abstract:Berry-andnut-producingshrubsofthePacificNorthwestareimportantinmanyways.Theyareanimportantfoodsourceforforagingwildlifeandpollinators,areculturallyimportantascomponentsoftraditionaltribaldiets,andarealsoharvestedforrecreationalandcommercialuse.Inthisproject,wearedevelopinginformationonhowclimatechangewillimpacttherangesofecologicallyandculturallyimportantnorthwesternshrubs,includingsalal,hazelnutandseveralspeciesofhuckleberry.Accuratemappingofcurrentrangesofshrubsisonewaytounderstandtherelationshipbetweenclimatevariablesandshrubdistributions.Currentrangemaps,however,onlyindicateifaspeciesispresentinacountyorstate(suchasintheUSDANRCSPlantsDatabase)andplantguidesonlydescribetheenvironmentswhereitmaybefound.Moreaccuratemapsofcurrentrangeswillactasthestartingpointtohelpmanagersunderstandhowclimatechangeislikelytoaffectthelocation(range)andtimingofberryandnutproductionofwidelydistributedshrubspecies.Thefirststepinthisprocessisthecollationofcurrentlyavailabledatasourcesincludingherbariumspecimensandvegetationassessmentscompletedaspartofforestinventories(suchasForestInventoryandAnalysisplots)andresearchormonitoringplots(researchnaturalareasandecologyplots).Usingpresence/absencedatafromallthesedatasourcesinconjunctionwithclimateinformationwillallowustodevelopmoredetailedplantrangemapsthanthosecurrentlyavailableandcanbeusedtodevelopfuturerangemapsbasedonprojectedchangesinclimate.Thisinformationcouldthenbeusedtohelpmanagersdetermineprioritiesforcompetingprojects,evaluatevulnerabilitiesofspeciesofinterest,oridentifyifnewareasmightneedtobedevelopedfortraditionalorcommercialuse.Presenter:MelanieHess,NorthPacificLandscapeConservationCooperativePosterTitle:TribalEngagementinthePacificNorthwestCoastConservationBlueprintAbstract:ThePacificNorthwestCoastConservationBlueprintprojectisworkingtodevelopacollaborative,landscape-scaleblueprintintheLowerColumbiaRiverandadjacentcoastalregionsofOregonandWashingtontoalignconservationeffortsintheregiontoachievelandscape-scalegoalsinresponsetoimpactssuchasclimatechange,andregionalpopulationgrowth.TheColumbiaCoastcontainsarichdiversityofnaturalandculturalresourcesmanagedbyacomplexarrayoftribalsovereignnations,federal/state/localagencies,non-governmentconservationorganizations,landowners,stakeholdersandothers.Tribes,inparticular,havedemonstratedleadershipandvisioninaddressingimpactstolandsandresourcesintheregion,andhaveimportanttreatyrights,co-managementauthority,traditionalknowledge,technicalexpertise,andoperationalcapacity.Tribalinsightintolandscapeprocesses,culturalvaluesandmanagementwillbeanimportantaspectofaholisticandeffectiveconservationblueprint.Wearecontinuingtoseektribalengagementduringthisiterativeandcollaborativeprocesstoensuretribalvisionsandvoicesareincludedinthedevelopmentoftheconservationstrategies,andsowerespectfullyaskforandwelcomeyourfeedback.Presenter:DaveJohnson,BureauofLandManagementPosterTitle:TribalParticipationonPublicLands


Abstract:TheBureauofLandManagement(BLM)isthelargestlandsandresourcesmanagementagencyintheUnitedStates.Publiclandsandmineralsunderagencyjurisdictioninclude245millionacresofsurfaceestateand700millionacresoffederalmineralestate.Naturalandculturalresourcesaboundonpubliclandsasdoissuesandopportunitiesforstewardship.Giventhatallpubliclandsare,ultimately,cededtriballands,tribesmaybeinterestedinworkingwiththeBLMtoadvancetribalinterests.ThisposterpresentsamapofpubliclandsinOregonandWashingtonandhighlightssomeoftheresourcesandissuesBLMisresponsiblefor.Inconsiderationoftherecently-releasedguidanceontribalrelations(BLM1780Manual&Handbook),thisposterinvitestriballeaderstoconsiderpotentialprojectsoftribalinterestincollaborativepartnershipwiththeagency.Presenter:RalphPerona,NeptuneandCompanyPosterTitle:DatatoDecisionsforClimateResilience:Socio-ecologicalChallengesintheYakimaRiverBasin.Abstract:From2015-2016,NorthwestIndianCollege,theTulalipTribes,andtheAmericanIndianHigherEducationConsortiumcollaboratedinformulatingtheconceptsforaprototypeTribalLandsCollaboratory(TLC).TheTLCwasusedtoexplorehowweb-basedcollaborationtechnologiescanbeusedtostudytheimpactsofclimatechangeonthetightlylinkedtimingsofsalmonberryripening,Swainson'sthrushsinging,andthereturnofsalmon.Inthefallof2017,NeptuneextendedtheTLCapproachbyinitiatingandleadingasmallexperimentaleffortcalled"DatatoDecisionsforClimateResilience"(D2D).D2Disco-sponsoredbytheUSGlobalChangeResearchProgram'sNationalClimateAssessmentnetworkandtheFederationofEarthScienceInformationPartners.TheobjectivesofD2Dincludedbuildingasetofopenlyweb-accessibleconceptmapstodocumentclimateadaptationplanningmethods,includingasetofmethodologiescalled"StructuredDecisionMaking".ToinitiateD2D,westudiedthechallengesoftheYakamaNations'salmonharvestssetagainstacomplexlandscapeofsocio-ecologicalactorsintheYakimaRiverBasin.Inthisposter,webroadlydescribethescopeofD2D,whichremainsanexperimentalwork-in-progress.Presenter:ChelseaKovalcsik,ChugachRegionalResourcesCommissionPosterTitle:ClimateChangeandTraditionalFoodResourcesintheChugachRegion,AlaskaAbstract:ChugachRegionalResourcesCommission(CRRC)iscurrentlyconductingatraditionalfoodassessmentthroughouttheChugachregion.Partofthegoalofthisassessmentistogainabaselineofindigenousknowledgeoncurrentfood-sourcepatternsduetoenvironmentalimplications(i.e.climatechangeandoceanacidification).IssuesTribalmembersfaceareachangingmarineandterrestrialenvironmentwheretraditionalfoodsgatheredintheforestandonthebeachesnearthevillagesarenolongeravailable.Foodspivotaltodietshaveincreasedthreatsduetoanthropogenicactivities,thuscausingincreasedstressonmemberTribesandaheightenedsenseoffoodinsecurity.Tribesarehavingtorelyheavilyonwesterndietsfromgrocerystoresathighpricesasopposedtotraditionalways.Subsistencemeansmorethancollectingfoodfromtheland,itisquiteliterallyawayoflife;itisawayfortoconnectwithfamily,communitymembers,elders,andculture.AlossoftraditionalfoodspreventsmemberTribesfromconnectingwithoneanotherandcreatesaseparationbetweenmemberTribesandtheirrespectiveculturalpractices.Thedisconnectintheircommunitiesisstaggering,inparticular,amongyouth.Alocalstatementis“whenthetideisout,thetableisset”.Thisopportunityiscurrentlylostandwhenthislossoccurssodoesthelossofculturewhichcanhavenegativeeffectsonpsyche.Whiletraditionalfoodsmayrestorephysicalhealth,theyarealsocentraltoculturalandspiritualtraditions.Salmon,shellfish,berries,seals,sealionsandcertainbirdspeciesarejustafewfoodsourcessurveyrespondentsarenoticingadistinctdifferenceinbehavior,locationoravailabilitywhencomparedtoyearsofpreviousindigenousknowledge.Tribalmembersareseeing,firsthand,adeclineinmanyaquaticandterrestrialanimalsandachangeintheirwayoflife.Presenter:MichaelChang,MakahTribePosterTitle:MakahTribe'sClimateAdaptationPlanandCommunityEngagementProcessAbstract:TheMakahTribeviewsclimatechangeasoneofthebiggestthreatstotheirnaturalresources,threateningtheirlivelihoods,economy,andculture.Aspartoftheirworktowardsclimateadaptationandplanning,theMakahTribalCouncilandtribalnaturalresourcemanagersprioritizedearlycommunityoutreach


andengagementeffortsinordertoaccomplishthreegoals:continuallyupdateandinformthetribalcommunityabouttheTribe’sclimateadaptationefforts;gathercommunityinputandprioritiesfortheMakahClimateAdaptationPlan;andprovideaseriesofeducationaleventstoinformthetribalcommunityaboutprojectedclimatechangeimpactstoourresources.Ourfirstcommunityclimateevent,theMakahClimateChangeAwarenessDinner,washeldonFebruary8,2017.Atthisevent,weprovidedanoverviewoftheMakahTribe’sClimateVulnerabilityAssessmentandadministeredaninitialclimatesurveythatgatheredinformationregardingcommunitymembers’observedenvironmentalchanges,knowledgeaboutclimatechangeandimpacts,andanyconcernsandprioritiestoincludeintheTribe’sadaptationplan.Thispresentationpresentsourframeworkforincorporatingcommunityengagementinclimateadaptationplanning,thepreliminaryresultsofourcommunitysurvey,andlaysoutthenextstepsthattheMakahTribeispursuingtowardsclimateadaptationplanning.Presenter:ScottHauser,UpperSnakeRiverTribesFoundationPosterTitle:UpperSnakeRiverClimateChangeVulnerabilityAssessmentAbstract:TheclimatearoundtheUpperSnakeRiverischanging.Climatechangeimpactstonaturalresourceshavethepotentialtoaffecttribalmembers’culture,spirituality,andlifeways.UpperSnakeRiverTribes(USRT)Foundation’smembertribeshavealreadynoticedshiftsinspeciesandhabitatsdrivenbyincreasingtemperaturesandchangingprecipitationpatterns.Tobetterunderstandthesechanges,USRTandtheBurnsPaiuteTribe,FortMcDermittPaiute-ShoshoneTribe,Shoshone-BannockTribesoftheFortHallReservation,andShoshone-PaiuteTribesoftheDuckValleyReservationcollaboratedwithAdaptationInternational,theClimateImpactsGroup(UniversityofWashington),andtheOregonClimateChangeResearchInstitute(OregonStateUniversity)tocompleteaclimatechangevulnerabilityassessment.Thiscollaborativeassessmentexpresslyconsideredthespecies,habitats,andresourcesthatareimportantandvaluabletoUSRTmembertribes.Presenter:JenSyrowitz,AudobonSocietyWashingtonPosterTitle:CreatingaClimateforActionAbstract:Accordingtoa2016pollbytheYaleProgramonClimateChangeCommunication,60%ofpeopleinWashingtonstateareconcernedaboutglobalwarmingandyetonly38%admittodiscussingtheissueatleastoccasionally(Howe,P.,Mildenberger,M.,Marlon,J.R.,andLeiserowitz,A.,“GeographicvariationinopinionsonclimatechangeatstateandlocalscalesintheUSA,”NatureClimateChange.DOI:10.1038/nclimate2583).Onehypothesisforthisdiscrepancyisthepoliticalpolarizationofanon-politicalissuethataffectseveryone;nooneisexcludedfromthethreat-multiplyingimpactsofclimatechange.Particularlyduringperiodsofdistrustandsuspicioninpublicdiscourse,thereisaneedtocreatesafespaceincommunities,tounitenon-partisanvoices,tode-politicizetheissue,andtodiscussbi-partisanpolicysolutionsthatwillremaindurablethroughRepublicanandDemocraticgovernments.Audubonisanauthenticallybipartisanconservationorganizationwhosenationalmembershipidentifiesas52%liberaland48%conservative.Usingbirdsasanon-partisanvesselbywhichtodiscusstheissueofclimatechange,weadvocateforbi-partisanclimatepoliciesthatarepoliticallyviableandlong-lasting.LocalpollingsuggestsWashingtoniansarehungryforclimateaction.Butisthepoliticalclimateavailabletoeffectchange?Inordertosuccessfullypasseffectiveclimatechangelegislation,i.e.actonclimate,wemustcreateaclimateforaction.Audubonhasthevision,thescience,themessenger(birds),andthebipartisangrassrootsnetworkbywhichtoengagecommunities,allies,andperceivedadversariesonapathtoclimateaction.

tribes/first nations climate summit proceedings - december 2017 · 2018-03-20 · tribes and first...

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