tribal resilience and adaptation efforts in the northeast ...€¦ · etiquette in tribal...

Tribal Climate Resilience & Adaptation Efforts in the Northeast

& Southeast RegionsCasey Thornbrugh

Northeast/Southeast Tribal Climate Science LiaisonUnited South & Eastern Tribes Inc.

NE/SE Climate Adaptation Science Centers

Outline

● Introduction

a) Background on my Tribe & Family

b) Liaison Role & Responsibilities

● SE Climate Adaptation Science Center

● Etiquette in Tribal Engagement

● Tribal Climate Science Liaison & NE/SE

CASC Activities

● Questions & Discussion

My Tribe & Family: The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe

Working in Climate & Natural Resources with Tribes

Tribal Climate Science Liaison: United South & Eastern TribesRole & Responsibilities

Serve as a Liaison between the Northeast &

Southeast Climate Adaptation Science

Centers (CASCs) and Tribal Nations

Provide climate information and technical

support for Tribal adaptation planning

Connect Tribal Nations/staff to other

partners and resources for climate

adaptation planning support

Outline

● Introduction

a) Background on my Tribe & Family

b) Liaison Role & Responsibilities

● SE Climate Adaptation Science

Center

● Etiquette in Tribal Engagement

● Tribal Climate Science Liaison & NE/SE

CASC Activities

● Questions & Discussion

Southeast Climate Adaptation Science Center (SE CASC)

Outline

● Introduction

a) Background my Tribe & Family

b) Liaison Role & Responsibilities

● SE Climate Adaptation Science Center

● Etiquette in Tribal Engagement

● Tribal Climate Science Liaison & NE/SE

CASC Activities

● Questions & Discussion

Do your homework You are a guest

● Every place/region has a

long Indigenous “Story”

● Traditional ecological

knowledge

Learn local history with Tribes, States & U.S. Govt.● Tribes relocated, allotment era and

termination era

● Ceded lands

● Tribes are sovereign nations within

a nation with some International

(e.g. St. Regis-Akwesasne Mohawk

between the U.S. & Canada,

Tohono O’odham between the U.S.

& Mexico)

Understand that Tribes are Communities & Governments

Engagement: Start early andGive the time to build Relationships● There might be many steps for

Tribes to approve of a project so

approach them ahead of time

(months or longer)

● In person visits are better for

understanding the community

and priority issues

● Relationships shouldn’t end

when the project ends

Mutually Beneficial Projects: Be patient and listen● Listen and understand local needs and

cultural worldviews - this will shape the

project

● Develop the grants and projects with

the Tribal communities &

governments/departments

from the beginning

Be respectful and practice Reciprocity● What is considered respectful behavior

will vary in each community.

● It is very important to first find what is

expected from the community in order

to approach a project respectfully. A

level of respect needs to be initiated

from the onset of any effort.

● In many Indigenous communities,

respect goes beyond human-to-human

relationships and includes all beings

involved.

Be upfront & honest andhave a sense of humor!● Be upfront and honest with what

your ideas on the project are.

● Collaboratively plan out how the

research will be conducted and

how/if the findings will be

shared.

● Laugh! Don’t take yourself too

seriously.

Site Visits & Activities on the East Coast

Shinnecock Indian Nation

Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians

Climate AdaptationPlan Writing RetreatWabanaki Culture Center, Calais, ME

Mashpee Wampanoag TribeEnvironmental Science Youth Camp

Continued Work Through Year 2 (2018-2019)

Upcoming● USET Eastern Tribal Resilience

Summit ~ August 2019

○ Reaching Tribal leaders & staff

○ Participation from NE/SE CASC

○ Presentation/working sessions

■ Climate change in the

Northeast/Southeast

■ Climate adaptation planning

■ Incorporating TEK in plans

■ Funding climate change

projects

USET Semi-annual meeting 2014. Photo by Brandon Stephens/USET.

Casey Thornbrugh

Northeast/Southeast Tribal Resilience Liaison

United South and Eastern Tribes (USET)

NE Climate Adaptation Science Center

Amherst, MA 01003

C: 615-589-1629

O: 413-545-2639

Email: cthornbrugh@usetinc.org

Special thanks to Sara Smith, Great Lakes/Midwest Tribal Liaison – College of the Menomninee Nation –NE CASC

& NE CASC, SE CASC & USET staff for their support

Kutâputunumuw!

Resources● United South and Eastern Tribes (USET)

● College of the Menominee Nation

● Northeast Indigenous Climate Resilience Network (NICRN)

● Websites of Tribal Nations (e.g. Penobscot, Red Cliff, Chickahominy etc.)

● Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) & BIA Tribal Resilience Program

● State Commissions on Indian Affairs (e.g. VT, MA, MD, VA etc.)

● National Congress of American Indians (NCAI)

Outline

● Introduction

a) Background my Tribe & Family

b) Liaison Role & Responsibilities

● Climate Change in the Eastern U.S.

● Etiquette in Tribal Engagement

● Tribal Climate Science Liaison & NE/SE

CASC Activities

● Questions & Discussion

Climate Change Observations & Projections in the Eastern U.S.

Climate Change and Precipitation in the Eastern US

Observed change in heavy precipitation events

1958 -2012

Treaties, Ceded Lands, & Removals● Tribes relocated, allotment

and termination era

● Ceded lands

Tribal Nations and Indigenous Communities in the NE CASC Region

● 60 Federally Recognized Tribes

● 30+ State Recognized Tribes

● Unrecognized Tribal

communities

● Urban Indian Communities