2025 ATNI Midyear Convention – Climate Resilience Committee Report

/in /by

COMMITTEE REPORT

_____________________________________________________

‘ CLIMATE RESILIENCE’

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians –
2025 Midyear Convention
Airway Heights, WA

DISCUSSION

1. Opening and Introduction

• Meeting commenced with a blessing and introductions (3:30 – 3:40 PM)

2. Committee Leadership (3:40 – 3:49 PM)

• Co-Chair Confirmation: Tony DiBenedetto (Coquille) nominated as Co-Chair

Voice vote conducted with participation from:

Jefferson Greene (Warm Springs) – Yes
Jeremy Takala (Yakama) – Yes
REPRESENTATIVE (Umatilla) – Yes
REPRESENTATIVE (Cow Creek Band of Umpqua) – Yes

• Discussion held regarding additional co-chairs

Committee to confirm possibility with ATNI Executive Board
Interest expressed in establishing working committee(s)

3. Climate Resilience Charter Development (3:49 – 3:54 PM)

• Review of previously passed resolutions:

2023-20: Climate Resilience Committee Mission Statement
2024-15: Supporting Tribal Engagement and Climate Action In Oregon: Endorsement of the Oregon Climate Action Commission’s Tribal Engagement Strategy In Alignment With Oregon H.B. 3409 Priorities
2024-28: Support Internal Coordination to Share and Plan for Future Climate Change Impacts
2024-29: Support Outreach to Local Teachers to Learn About ATNI Climate Change Work

• Mission statement discussion:

Supporting Tribal engagement and climate action commission
Supporting internal coordination for sharing and planning for future climate change impacts
Supporting outreach to local teachers regarding ATNI Climate Change work

• Committee Priorities

Goal 1: Establish committee structure

Progress made with election of Tony DiBenedetto

Goal 2: Define committee intentions

Communicate the importance of climate resilience

Goal 3: Engage with Tribal leaders

4. Tribal Updates and Feedback (3:54 – 4:11 PM)

• Colville Confederated Tribes

Surrounded by water with ferry access needs
Current ferry is 45 years old without dry dock maintenance
Working on $350M bridge construction project

• Spokane Tribe

Using CCA funding to contract and build native plant nursery for habitat restoration
Establishing a composting facility
GHG reduction efforts include solar farms feasibility study

• Quinault Tribe

NWIFC representative noted resource challenges under current administration

Climate impacts include:

Loss of one glacier (previously had three, now two remain)
Coastal village affected by sea level rise and storm surges
Water temperature increases causing pre-spawn mortality in fish
Secured $25M from previous administration for village relocation
Faced forest fire in the Olympics five years ago that was difficult to combat due to terrain
$25M grant from UW was revoked
Sea wall breach occurred in Neah Bay on the Strait of Juan de Fuca

Expressed concerns about funding continuity and strategy needed for addressing climate issues under current administration

• Nimiipu Energy (Nez Perce)

Implemented solar covered parking
Establishing an energy sovereignty division
Adapting language to align with current administration requirements
Replacing 60 GSA vehicles with EVs and installing charging stations

• Nez Perce Tribe EPA Grants

60-74 EV charging stations
62 plug-in hybrid vehicles to replace Tribe’s fleet
Casino development as emergency evacuation center, along with 2 other off-grid buildings
Climate-ready housing model with off-grid solar capability
Fire identified as largest risk with challenging evacuation scenarios
Tree planting for carbon sequestration
University of Idaho streamflow project
350 wood stove replacements for Tribal citizens
Noted that all grants are currently at risk

• ATNI CRC Response

Planning to develop strategy with workgroup that is responsive and guided by Tribes
Will follow up via email

5. Resolutions (4:11 – 4:27 PM)

• Resolution #2025-xx: Defending Oregon’s Climate Protection Program to Safeguard Tribal Sovereignty, Public Health, and Future Generations

Presented by Sea-ah-dom Edmo
Program expected to generate $25B over next 25 years
Includes 15% Tribal set-aside ($10-35M per year for Oregon Tribes)
Eligibility extends to Tribes with vested interest in Oregon lands
Similar to Washington’s Climate Commitment Funds
Clarification provided that Tribes will not have to pay to access funds
Seeding Justice nonprofit soliciting feedback on steering committee structure

Resolution Voting

Resolution read
Discussion

Question: Concerning funding aspect of the program, will Tribes have to pay to access these funds?
Answer: No, Tribes will not have to pay.

Comment: Seeding Justice nonprofit has been requesting feedback on the type of steering committee and what it will look like for the next 25 years.

Motion made by Tony DiBenedetto (Coquille Tribe)
Seconded by REPRESENTATIVE (Umatilla)
Passed unanimously with no abstentions or oppositions
Will move to floor at General Assembly on Thursday

6. Presentations

• ATNI Climate Program Presentation (4:27 – 4:50 PM)

Overview of past and current ATNI Climate Program resources
Opportunity for ATNI staff to visit Tribes by year end
Encouragement to contact Patrick Freeland and Kylie Avery (ATNI staff) for support

Comment: Call for unity and cooperation among Tribes during uncertain funding times. “We are strategizing and are not yet aware of what all is going away or coming back. Unity, it is the time for unity and to work together. We have to put disagreements aside to work together during this time and ask neighboring Tribes to see how they can support one another.” – Tony DiBenedetto

Comment: Climate adaptation plans, 20 Tribes from NWIFC. Connecting climate scientists and policy analysts and liaisons. NWIFC has a database. Infrastructure is there, now we pull it all together. Noted existing climate adaptation plans for 20 Tribes and database resources; requested stronger language in resolutions.

Comment: Opportunity from the Solar for All, and other funding sources, Tribes can to access funding to support clean energy projects.

Comment: CPRG WA Climate Commitment Act, for Tribes in usual and accustomed lands in WA, to request funds by Thursday 05/15/2025.

• Increasing Statewide Landscape Resilience – Andy Maggi, Pew Charitable Trust

Update on OR Tribal Engagement Strategy
Interest in connecting with Tribes working on climate adaptation strategies

8. Open Discussion (4:56 – 4:59 PM)

• Resolution Follow-through – Kat Brigham (Umatilla)

Update on 2024-29 resolution implementation
Umatilla applied for ATNI grant to develop curriculum on Tribal sovereignty and rights
Upcoming Oregon/eastern Washington workshop announced

• Co-chairs Feedback – Tony DiBenedetto (Coquille Tribe), Eddie Sherman (Against the Current Consulting)

Call for Tribal leaders to consider becoming co-chairs: representing northern coastal Tribes and western inland Tribes
Invitation for attendees to join working groups / task force

• Bennett Hesmark, Tribal Climate Resilience Program Manager, WA Dept of Commerce, announced funding availability

9. Meeting adjourned at 4:59 PM.

ADOPTED AND RECOMMENDED TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Resolution #2025-xx: Defending Oregon’s Climate Protection Program to Safeguard Tribal Sovereignty, Public Health, and Future Generations

COMMITTEE – TABLED

N/A

Minutes/Report submitted by: _________________________________________________
Committee Chair

2025 ATNI Winter Convention – Climate Resilience Committee Report

/in /by

 

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) – Winter Convention

Climate Resilience Committee – Regular Meeting Report

Date: January 28, 2025 1:30 PM – 3:15 PM, Portland, Oregon

Chair: Eddie Sherman Co-Chair

 

I. Overview & Purpose of the Meeting

  • The Climate Resilience Committee convened to discuss strategies for advancing climate adaptation, policy advocacy, and engagement efforts for ATNI member Tribes.
  • Key topics included committee strategy and leadership, policy priorities, funding opportunities, climate adaptation initiatives, and upcoming partnerships.
  • No new resolutions were introduced

 

II. Key Discussion Points & Updates

  1. Committee Leadership & Structure
  • Co-Chair Vacancy: The committee is seeking an elected tribal leader to serve as co-chair alongside Eddie Sherman. Nominations were encouraged, with follow-ups planned.
  • Committee Charter & Purpose:
    • Utilizing a phased development strategy to establish committee structure, define the intention of the committee, and detail methods for engaging Tribal Leaders
    • Establishing a structured governance framework to enhance climate advocacy efforts.
    • Developing a policymaking mechanism to align with ATNI’s environmental programs.
  1. Climate Resilience Policy & Advocacy
  • Resolutions Update:
    • #2024-28 Support Internal Coordination to Share and Plan for Future Climate Change Impacts
      • ATNI passed a climate change strategy resolution to develop a formalized approach for tribal climate action.
    • #2024-29 Support Outreach to Local Teachers to Learn about Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Climate Change Work
      • A teacher summit resolution aims to educate teachers on tribal climate priorities and sovereignty, with events planned in Eastern Washington and Oregon
    • #2024-15 Supporting Tribal Engagement and Climate Action in Oregon: Endorsement of the Oregon Climate Action Commissions’ Tribal Engagement Strategy in Alignment with House Bill 3409 Priorities
  • Federal & State Climate Engagement:
    • Collaboration efforts to integrate Tribal climate priorities into federal and state-level decision-making.
    • Call for increased consultation and funding opportunities for Tribally-led climate initiatives.

 

  1. Climate Adaptation & Resilience Programs
  • Drought Resilience & Hydropower Outlook:
    • NOAA’s National Integrated Drought Information System (NIDIS) is supporting Tribal drought early warning systems and adaptation planning initiatives; asking for Tribal input to address Tribal concerns
    • Concerns were raised over water scarcity, energy security, and the impact of agriculture and extractive industries on Tribal lands.
  • Forest & Landscape Resilience:
    • Pew Charitable Trusts outlined a new strategy to enhance ecosystem resilience through climate-ready natural resource planning.
    • Calls for integrating traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into state-level landscape management.
  • Sea Level Rise & Coastal Resilience:
    • The Tribal Coastal Resilience Project, co-led by ATNI and UW Climate Impacts Group, is advancing policy navigation tools and funding solutions to address unmet needs identified in the report Climate Adaptation Barriers and Needs Experiences by Northwest Coastal Tribes: Key Findings from Tribal Listening Sessions
    • NOAA funding secured through WA Dept. of Ecology for low-barrier, small grants program to support coastal Tribes’ climate adaptation efforts.

 

  1. Funding & Grant Opportunities
  • EPA Thriving Communities Grant Program: focus on Tribal applications, with simplified processes for securing funds.
    • $48 million allocated for environmental justice projects, including climate mitigation, resilience planning, and community projects.
  • Washington’s Climate Commitment Act (CCA): Previous funding supported water security, energy efficiency, and community relocation efforts
    • $50 million expected for tribal climate resilience projects in 2025.
  • Additional Tribal Climate Funding Sources:
    • The Oregon Department of Energy highlighted new Natural Climate Solutions funding aimed at supporting tribal land stewardship initiatives.

 

III. Key Takeaways & Next Steps

  1. Committee Leadership: Continued outreach to fill the co-chair vacancy with an elected Tribal leader. Nominations are open, with closing deadline and call-to-vote to be determined at a later date.
    1. Open Nominations:
      1. Jeremie Walls, Squaxin Island
      2. Tony DiBenedeto, Coquille Indian Tribe
    2. Policy Development: Further structuring of the Climate Resilience Committee Charter to guide ATNI’s climate advocacy.
    3. Funding Awareness & Access:
      1. Encouraging ATNI Tribes to pursue EPA Thriving Communities grants before the February 28 deadline.
      2. Preparing for the next round of Washington State CCA funding.
    4. Partnerships & Capacity Building:
      1. Expanding climate collaboration with Pew Charitable Trusts, NOAA-NIDIS, NOAA Climate Adaptation Partnerships Program, Northwest Climate Resilience Collaborative (NCRC), UW Climate Impacts Group, and state agencies.
      2. Strengthening Tribal participation in regional drought resilience and coastal adaptation initiatives.
    5. Legislative & Policy Advocacy:
      1. Ongoing efforts to protect Tribal water rights and fisheries from external threats (e.g., extractive industries, agricultural water exports).
      2. Increasing engagement with federal agencies and lawmakers to ensure Tribal climate priorities are recognized.

IV. Closing Remarks

The Climate Resilience Committee (CRC) recognizes the urgency in light of 2024’s record-breaking climate impacts, including extreme heat, wildfire, extreme weather events, and coastal flooding that resulted in disaster costs over $380 million dollars, and $182.7 billion nationally. The CRC will continue strengthening partnerships with federal, state, and nonprofit organizations while pursuing critical funding opportunities and climate adaptation and mitigation initiatives. We encourage all Tribal leaders to actively participate in our ongoing policy development, including submitting nominations for our co-chair position and further engaging Tribes with ongoing climate adaptation initiatives and coalition building. With climate change increasingly threatening our lands, waters, and traditional ways of life, it is crucial that ATNI Tribes maintains a leadership role in climate action and ensure our communities are prepared for the challenges ahead.

 

Respectfully submitted

Eddie Sherman (Diné | Umóⁿ’hoⁿ) – ATNI Climate Resilience Committee Co-Chair

c/o Patrick Freeland (Muscogee Nation), ATNI Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison