Category: Tribal/First nations

Climate change, Environmental justice, Solar, Tribal/First nations

Tribal solar projects provide more than climate solutions

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Read the full story at Yes! Magazine.

In August 2021, two wildfires surrounded the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation in central Montana. By Aug. 11, more than 175,000 acres were ablaze, and all residents of Lame Deer, the largest town on the reservation, were asked to evacuate. Several communities lost power and cell service, and the local Boys and Girls Club set up door-to-door food delivery. Some of those forced to evacuate were staff at Covenant Tribal Solar Initiative, a nonprofit that supports tribal communities’ transition to solar power and development of renewable energy workforces. Wildfires like those surrounding Northern Cheyenne—which may get worse because of climate change—exemplified the urgent need for Covenant’s work.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion, Tribal/First nations, Women in science

The Māori meeting house that’s also a research lab

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Read the full story in Nature.

Ocean Mercier researches how Indigenous knowledge and Western science can help resolve environmental issues.

Tribal/First nations, Wildlife

On the Klamath, dam removal may come too late to save the salmon

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Read the full story at e360.

The planned demolition of dams on the Klamath River was expected to help restore the beleaguered salmon on which Indigenous tribes depend. But after a record drought and wildfire this summer, many are worried the salmon could be all but gone before the dams come down.

Climate change, Environmental justice, Publications, Tribal/First nations

ITEP researchers release report examining effects of climate change on Indigenous peoples, lands and culture

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Read the full story from Northern Arizona University.

Researchers from the Institute of Tribal Environmental Professionals this week launched the State of Tribes and Climate Change (STACC) report, which examines the disproportionate effect climate change has on Indigenous lands and people and the added strain tribes experience as they respond to damaging climate events, which are increasing in frequency and severity.

Auto repair, Pollution prevention, Publications, Tribal/First nations

Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe – Safer Degreasing Products

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Download the document.

The job is to repair, and tune cars and trucks. Keeping these vehicles running requires the use of an engine degreaser or brake cleaner to remove grease and grime so the mechanics can identify issues and make repairs. Unfortunately, most brake cleaners contain chemicals that are harmful to human health and the environment, and identifying economical safer products within the local supply chain is challenging.

These sites tested various blends of acetone, heptane, hydrocarbons as replacements for more hazardous blends containing xylene, toluene, PERC, TCE and methanol. The safer products were sourced from local Auto Value, Napa and O’Reilly Auto Parts stores. After identifying a working product, the auto shops were given a case of the product to continue testing it to ensure that it met cleaning expectations.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion, Natural resources, Tribal/First nations

Suckers, trash fish and the fight over food traditions in Oregon’s Klamath Basin

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Read the full story in The Guardian.

Fight to save fish tells story of how European food preferences clashed with tribal systems, shaping what we choose to protect.

Tribal/First nations, Wildlife

The Americas’ first ecosystem managers

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Read the full story at Hakai Magazine.

When it comes to sea otters, modern conservation goals are overlooking the firm hand Indigenous people wielded through time.

Aquaculture, Diversity, equity, and inclusion, Environmental justice, Tribal/First nations

The 7 R’s of integrating tribal and Indigenous partnerships into aquaculture literacy

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Read the full story from NOAA.

Aquaculture, the fastest growing form of agriculture in the world, has the potential to create jobs, support resilient working waterfronts and coastal communities, and sustainably produce healthy food. As U.S. aquaculture grows, aquaculture resource managers and their partners have the opportunity to shape a community that is diverse, inclusive, and accessible. Integrating perspectives from tribal and Indigenous groups who have important histories and expertise with aquaculture is a critical step of this process.

Drought, Tribal/First nations, Water

Severe drought reignites decades-old conflict between Oregon ranchers, Indigenous peoples

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Read the full story from PBS NewsHour.

Vast stretches of the Western U.S. are suffering under scorching temperatures, rampant wildfires and a years-long drought that’s depleting lakes and reservoirs. The water scarcity is tearing apart one southern Oregon community where farmers, native tribes and endangered species are all struggling to survive this summer. Stephanie Sy has the story.

Environmental justice, Environmental law, Events, Tribal/First nations

Webinar: Environmental Justice and the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA)

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Aug 26, 2021, 1:30-3 pm CDT
Register here.

The webinar will highlight content from the Promising Practices for EJ Methodologies in NEPA Reviews report of the Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (now the EJ Interagency Council). The webinar will also include a tribal perspective on the value and importance of NEPA. This webinar builds upon the NEPA and Tribes as Cooperating Agencies webinar held on July 21, 2021.

Panelists

  • Tribal Government or Indigenous Peoples Presenter (TBD)
  • Stan Buzzelle, Attorney Advisor, Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
  • Danny Gogal, Tribal and Indigenous Peoples Program Manager, Office of Environmental Justice, U.S. EPA (Facilitator)

A link for the webinar will be emailed to registered participants a couple of days before the event.

Please note that the webinar is planned to be recorded and is expected to be available on the EPA website a few weeks after the webinar.

For questions about this webinar or the EPA EJ Webinar Series for Tribes and Indigenous Peoples please contact Danny Gogal, Office of Environmental Justice, gogal.danny@epa.gov.

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