tribes
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Report: Tribes in the Pacific Northwest face climate change funding barriers
Tribes in the Pacific Northwest struggle to access funds for climate change adaptation due to bureaucratic challenges, despite being on the frontline of climate impacts.
In short:
- Pacific Northwest tribes face severe climate impacts, like rising seas and extreme heat, but encounter bureaucratic obstacles when seeking government funds to address these issues.
- Many tribes cannot provide matching funds or staff to meet grant requirements and find that the funds they receive are limited and restrictive.
- Tribes emphasize the need for federal agencies to address these barriers and fulfill their trust responsibilities to support tribal adaptation efforts.
Key quote:
"This is a time of historic state and federal investment in climate action, and tribal priorities really need to be considered when making decisions around how we’re going to be directing this investment."
— Meade Krosby, senior author of the report by the Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative.
Why this matters:
Coastal tribes in the U.S. face some of the most significant threats from climate change, impacting their communities and traditional ways of life. Ensuring equitable access to funding and resources is crucial for their adaptation efforts and to support broader climate resilience.
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Credit: Tatenda Mapigoti/Unsplash
Activists demand halt to uranium mining near Grand Canyon
Environmentalists and tribal members are urging Arizona officials to end uranium mining near the Grand Canyon, citing health and environmental risks.
In short:
- Activists delivered a petition with over 17,500 signatures to Governor Katie Hobbs, calling for the closure of the Pinyon Plain Mine.
- Uranium mining poses significant health risks and threatens water sources critical to the Grand Canyon's ecosystem and local communities.
- The governor’s office acknowledged receipt but has yet to take action on the petition.
Key quote:
“The safe thing to do, the prudent thing to do, is to avoid that risk altogether and close the mine.”
— Taylor McKinnon, director of the Center for Biological Diversity
Why this matters:
The Grand Canyon has long been a battleground for conservation efforts. Uranium mining, with its potential to contaminate water sources and disrupt ecosystems, adds a new layer of urgency to these efforts. The Havasupai Tribe, whose ancestral lands lie within the Grand Canyon, has been vocal about the threats posed to their health and way of life. Contaminated water sources could have devastating effects on both human populations and the diverse wildlife that call the canyon home.
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Credit: Steve Nielsen/Pixabay
Tribes and conservationists work to save spearfishing from climate change
As climate change impacts walleye populations in Wisconsin lakes, Indigenous tribes and conservationists are striving to preserve the traditional practice of spearfishing.
Melina Walling and John Locher report for The Associated Press.
In short:
- Ojibwe and other Indigenous tribes rely on spearfishing for food, cultural connection, and tradition, but climate change and lakeshore development threaten walleye populations.
- Conservation efforts include permits to limit fish catch and fish stocking, but natural reproduction remains a challenge due to environmental changes.
- Indigenous knowledge is increasingly valued in conservation strategies to adapt to these changes and ensure sustainable fishing practices.
Key quote:
“We’ve seen things here over the last couple of years that I’ve never seen before. It worries me, what I’ve seen in my lifetime, what’s my grandson going to see in his lifetime?”
— Brian Bisonette, conservation director of the Lac Courte Oreilles Conservation Department
Why this matters:
Climate change and habitat loss threaten Indigenous food sources and cultural traditions. Collaborative conservation efforts aim to preserve these practices for future generations, emphasizing the intersection of environmental and cultural sustainability.
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Credit: James Fitzgerald/Unsplash
Native tribes use controlled burns to save sequoias
In response to devastating wildfires, Indigenous tribes in California have resumed cultural burns to protect ancient sequoia trees.
In short:
- Tribes including the Tule River, North Fork Mono, and Tübatulabal are conducting controlled burns to prevent wildfires and protect sequoia forests.
- These cultural burns were banned in the 19th century but were reintroduced in 2022 after extreme wildfires highlighted their necessity.
- Cultural burns help manage forest undergrowth, preserve sequoias, and maintain Indigenous cultural practices.
Key quote:
"I want to tell the spirit on the other side of the sun to give us power for this burn. Give us a good burn."
— Robert Gomez, chairman of the Tübatulabal Tribe
Why this matters:
Restoring traditional burning practices aids in wildfire prevention and helps maintain the health and cultural heritage of sequoia forests. As climate change intensifies, these practices are could be valuable for forest resilience and community survival.
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Credit: High Country Photos/Big Stock Photo
Colorado River Indian Tribes gain control of their water rights
The Colorado River Indian Tribes have secured an agreement that allows them to manage their water allocation beyond their lands, aiming to address regional drought issues.
In short:
- The agreement enables the tribes to lease, exchange, or store Colorado River water, marking a shift from previous federal limitations.
- The tribe plans to use the revenue from water management to improve infrastructure and support agricultural projects.
- Leaders of the tribe and state officials celebrated the new pact as a significant advancement for tribal sovereignty and regional water stability.
Key quote:
"The agreement will enable CRIT to continue leading with collaborative strategies in support of the resilience of the Colorado River."
— Deb Haaland, Secretary of the Interior
Why this matters:
This agreement strengthens the tribe's control over their resources and plays an important role in sustainable water management across the Southwest. This could lead to more judicious and perhaps more environmentally conscious water management. Tribes like the CRIT have a deep-rooted cultural connection to their land and natural resources, often embracing stewardship that prioritizes ecological balance. Their involvement in water management could introduce or amplify practices focused on conservation and sustainable use, vital in a region repeatedly stressed by drought and overuse.
Related: In 2023, The federal government decided that while the Navajo Nation does have water rights, established by Winters Doctrine, it will not help the Nation assert those rights.
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Credit: SELİM ARDA ERYILMAZ/Unsplash
Justice Department supports Wisconsin tribe in pipeline dispute
In a recent legal development, the Justice Department has sided with a Wisconsin tribe's claim against a Canadian energy company over land rights, sparking controversy.
In short:
- The DOJ supported the Bad River Band's claim that Enbridge has trespassed on tribal land by operating the Line 5 pipeline, suggesting a higher compensation than the court-ordered $5.15 million.
- Despite DOJ's support, the request for immediate cessation of the pipeline's operation was not granted, raising concerns among tribal leaders.
- The broader implications involve international treaties and ongoing diplomatic tensions between the U.S. and Canada over pipeline operations.
Key quote:
“We are grateful the U.S. urged the court not to let Enbridge profit from its unlawful trespass.”
— Robert Blanchard, chairman of the Bad River Band of the Lake Superior Chippewa Indians
Why this matters:
Enbridge maintains that its projects are crucial for economic development and energy security, emphasizing its commitment to safety and environmental stewardship. The company also points to regulatory approvals and its efforts to consult with tribal communities as evidence of its attempt to balance these interests.
Tribal leaders and advocates argue that consultations are often inadequate and do not equate to obtaining free, prior, and informed consent—a standard set forth in the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
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Credit: Caspar Rae/Unsplash
Tribes seek more than funds for equitable green energy transition
Indigenous communities need cultural sensitivity and structural support, not just financial aid, to fairly engage in green energy projects, according to researcher Kimberly Yazzie.
In short:
- Indigenous communities require comprehensive support beyond financial aid to ensure equitable participation in green energy projects.
- The approach should integrate flexible project deadlines, enhanced information access, and infrastructure development within tribes.
- Building effective relationships and incorporating cultural insights are vital to avoiding past mistakes and ensuring successful project outcomes.
Key quote:
"There's this history of tribes not getting a fair deal, and so this history needs to be addressed. There's work that needs to be done."
— Kimberly Yazzie, Diné researcher in ecology at Stanford University
Why this matters:
Experts argue there is a strong need for platforms that amplify Indigenous voices in the planning stages of green energy projects. This ensures that the projects align with their values, needs, and priorities, fostering a sense of ownership and increasing the long-term success of these initiatives.
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