Tribal Voices on Climate Change are Highlighted on New Website

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Immerse yourself in a newly launched website from The Indigenous Climate Project. The personal perspectives of the oral histories from Northwest tribal leaders are compelling and inspiring as they share their traditional ecological knowledge. A partnership among THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY, Washington Wild and the Pacific Education Institute created the content. There is also a new documentary shining a light on tribal leaders who talk about the impacts of climate change and potential solutions. Educators will find fresh curriculum designed for middle schoolers. The project has been funded primarily by the BECU Foundation.

“Tribes didn’t cause climate change, but they have been leading the way in responding to it,” notes Leonard Forsman. He is the Chairman of the Suquamish Tribe and President of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians that serves fifty-seven Northwest tribes. “There has been a growing realization that the experience and traditional knowledge tribes generated over thousands of years, combined with their contemporary science, have much to offer in terms of sustainable environmental management,” he adds.

Oral Histories from Tribal Elders Offer Insights on Climate Change

Twenty-five interviews with Northwest tribal leaders have been conducted since August 2022. “The Traditional Ecological Knowledge they have shared with us has been life changing. From a true sense of place and ancestry guiding them, and an emerging position of political and economic power, the tribes are battling climate change head-on and inspiring us all,” says Michael Harris, THISI S INDIAN COUNTRY president.

“I totally agree. It has been an honor to be affiliated with this program, and we are dedicated to working with tribes in our efforts to support the restoration of natural resources impacted by climate change,” says Tom Uniack, executive director of Washington Wild. “The guidance provided by this website is invaluable in this effort,”

While Billy Frank Jr., was still alive, he would visit different tribes and host documentaries. “It was decided after his passing to carry on and to honor his legacy to inform and educate the public,” says Steve Robinson, who has served the Tribes throughout his 50-year career. Steve is of Salish Kootenai descent and also a film producer involved with this project.

Billy Frank Jr , pictured, traveled to Northwest Tribes to learn about the climate change. Tribal leaders tell their stories. Find them on The Indigenous Climate Project. Photo courtesy: The Indigenous Climate Project

Watch Local, Renown Activist Billy Frank Jr. at the Arctic Sea on Top of the World

In one video, the now deceased Frank narrates the compelling story of impacts on the people of the First Nation who live around the Arctic Sea.

“Natural riches flourished under thousands of years of tribal stewardship. But in the few hundred years since, the harrowing impacts of non-tribal society have caused immense water pollution problems, climate change and other dramatic changes in our ecosystem,” says Willie Frank III, former Chair of the Nisqually Tribe and son of renown Billy Frank Jr. “Obviously, there are lessons to be learned about the sustainability tribes have achieved,” he says.

Watch these compelling stories on the THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY website.

Climate Change Curriculum for Middle School

Twenty-five stories from tribal leaders have been filmed and uploaded to a new website The Indigenous Climate Project. They speak to the tribes efforts to deal with a changing climate. Photo courtesy: The Indigenous Climate Project

The Indigenous Climate Project created a middle school curriculum called “Climate Change and the Tribes.” It was written by Robinson, who has been vetted by tribal leaders. It can be downloaded on the site. The chapters cover the causes and effects of climate change, melting glaciers and dying salmon, the tribal response to these changes and then learning about Mother Earth. The tribes are active participants in solutions.

Area teachers are being invite to a workshop in August. Plans for more workshops are in the works. The content may be adjusted for older or younger students, as appropriate.

“It is more important than ever for students, teachers, and people in general to learn about and practice long-term environmental management principles of the tribes. There is a huge gap between environmental sustainability and the management practices in mainstream society,” says Forsman.

Washington Wild, The Pacific Education Institute and THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY

Quinault President Guy Gapeoman was filmed with his tribal story about dealing with the changing climate. Stories are collected on The Indigenous Climate Project. Photo courtesy: The Indigenous Climate Project

Washington Wild is a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting and restoring wild lands and waters in Washington State. It works through advocacy, education and civic engagement. It believes that grassroots networking goes a long way to help protect these valuable resources.

The Pacific Education Institute promotes scientific literacy and civic engagement. This supports well-informed people to make just, balanced decisions that, in turn, support sustainable communities. It supports educators with professional learning that includes FieldSTEM, which is teaching outside of the classroom and into real-world settings for the study of science, technology, engineering and math.

THIS IS INDIAN COUNTRY with Billy Frank Jr. is the Emmy Award-winning TV series. Now this organization works to complete the series and keep Billy’s remarkable spirit alive.

Please take a bit of your time to watch and listen to these videos. The website will continue to be updated. We are living in a rapidly changing world that needs environmental care from everyone. Awareness and moving forward with ecological integrity and eyes to the future will help to maintain our amazing planet.

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