2025 ATNI Annual Convention – Climate Resilience Committee Report

/in /by

COMMITTEE REPORT

_____________________________________________________

‘ CLIMATE RESILIENCE’

Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians – 2025 Annual Convention

Clearwater Casino Resort, Deer B, 15347 Suquamish Way NE, Suquamish, WA 98392

DISCUSSION

Opening and Introduction (3:30 – 3:45 PM)

  • Meeting commenced with a blessing and introductions

Welcome from Co-Chairs (3:45 – 3:50 PM)

  • Tony DiBenedetto (Coquille)
  • Eddie Sherman (Diné, Omaha)

Presentation: ATNI/OCAC/ODOE Progress Update ref: Resolution #24-15 (3:50 – 4:00)

  • Oregon Tribal Engagement Strategy Overview
  • Formal authorization through ATNI Resolution #24-15 supporting Oregon Climate Action Commission engagement
  • Alignment between Oregon House Bill 3409 priorities and Tribal engagement strategy
  • Framework for collaboration among Oregon’s nine federally recognized Tribes
  • Implementation Updates:
  • Report on OCAC Commission Meeting (09/12/2025) and Oregon Legislative Commission on Indian Services panel discussion
  • Consultation task force progress at state level
  • Emphasis on relationship building and increased Tribal representation in commission
  • OR Tribal Climate Adaptation Profile Development
  • Moving toward Tribal site visits; requesting invitations
  • Synthesizing recent reports using downscaled regional data
  • Developing ecoregional and/or watershed specific climate profiles

Presentation: Pew Charitable Trusts Partnership (4:00 – 4:05 PM)

  • Regional Climate Initiatives
  • Focus on strengthening engagement with Oregon Tribes through climate-ready management principles
  • Three key programs: estuary management planning, shoreline master programs, and indigenous marine stewardship areas
  • California work: Supporting bill to codify co-management in state law
  • Welcome ongoing dialogue for Tribal engagement opportunities

Comment: “Light at the end of the tunnel, but have to make sure you are in the right tunnel.” Oregon departments underfunded; success with recent MOUs for management responsibilities. Time to ask municipalities to partner with Tribes. – Tony DiBenedetto (Coquille Indian Tribe)

Comment: Siletz experiencing similar funding struggles, maintaining a program with only a single staff position. Need for interTribal collaboration. – Kurtis Barker (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians)

Comment: Washington context – incorporating climate change into adaptive management for salmon and forest recovery studies. – Jim Peters (Squaxin Island Tribe)

Comment: [the east side is different than the west side] Need for statewide rules accommodating both eastern and western Oregon perspectives in adaptive management. – Cody Desautel (Colville Tribes)

Open Discussion: InterTribal Climate Resilience Strategy Framework: Information Sharing

    Network Development (4:05 – 4:20 PM)

  • Information Sharing Network (ISN) Development
  • Initiative authorized under ATNI Resolution #2024-28: Support Internal Coordination to Share and Plan for Future Climate Change Impacts
  • Builds upon Climate Resilience Committee mission established in Resolution #2023-20
  • Addresses mandate for enhanced InterTribal coordination and data sharing capabilities\
  • Proposed Centralized Data Management System
  • Core Infrastructure Requirements:
  • Centralized secure hub for consolidating Tribal climate adaptation plans
  • Protected system architecture not subject to Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests
  • Tribally-controlled permissions system for data access and distribution capabilities to route information to appropriate Tribes and organizations
  • Integrated emergency response support for rapid-response hazard management
  • Data Sovereignty Framework
  • Emphasis on Tribal governance/provenance of all data inputs
  • Permission-based information sharing protocols respecting Tribal sovereignty
  • Secure infrastructure protecting sensitive cultural and environmental data
  • Model example: Lummi Nation Data Sharing Memorandum of Agreement (DSMOA) providing template for interTribal agreements
  • Coquille Indian Tribe actively developing comprehensive data sovereignty policy for implementation
  • Regional Implementation Models
  • Comment: Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission (NWIFC) has operational framework developed by Bruce Jones allowing member Tribes to input proprietary data with controlled access. System permits state agencies to view and contribute information but prevents modification of Tribal data. – Jim Peters (Squaxin Island Tribe)
  • Comment: Current capacity insufficient to serve all Tribes individually. Recommendation to utilize existing fisheries commissions (NWIFC, CRITFC) as regional data hubs, leveraging their established relationships, technical infrastructure, and funding mechanisms. Climate funding already flows through these organizations, making them natural coordination points. – Candice Penn (Squaxin Island Tribe)
  • Case Study – Emergency Response Gaps
  • 2021 Pacific Northwest extreme heat event exposed critical coordination failures
  • Tribes forced to develop emergency responses independently without intergovernmental coordination
  • Lack of centralized information sharing resulted in duplicated efforts and missed opportunities for resource sharing
  • Demonstrated urgent need shared response planning
  • Practical Applications and Benefits Discussion: How would this information sharing network support Tribal Councils in decision-making?
  • Comment: Environmental Monitoring Applications: System would create legacy database for long-term environmental tracking. Examples include vegetation coverage analysis to document gains or losses over time, comprehensive water quality monitoring across Tribal territories. Squaxin Island specifically tracking aquifer connections to surface water systems, critical for understanding climate impacts on water resources. Riparian Roundtable conducting systematic watershed assessments, documenting current conditions for future comparison. – Jim Peters (Squaxin Island Tribe)
  • Comment: Planning and Resource Management: Database would enable identification of exempt wells in salmon restoration areas and critical watersheds, supporting multi-generational planning for climate adaptation. Consolidated information assists in projecting future resource availability and environmental conditions for coming generations. – Jim Peters (Squaxin Island Tribe)
  • Comment: Data Standardization Benefits: Upper Columbia United Tribes perspective emphasizes importance of consistent data collection standards and metrics across all participating Tribes. Centralized housing of information would require methodological consistency, enables cross-regional comparisons, and strengthens collective advocacy through standardized evidence base. – Cody Desautel (Colville Tribes)
  • Technical Specifications Under Consideration
  • Integration capabilities with existing Tribal database systems
  • Scalability to accommodate varying levels of Tribal technical capacity
  • Mobile accessibility for field data collection
  • Offline functionality for areas with limited connectivity
  • Automated backup and disaster recovery protocols
  • Next Steps for ISN Development
  • Assessment of existing infrastructure and identification of integration opportunities
  • Development of data governance protocols respecting Tribal sovereignty
  • Continued discussion with broader input from Tribes and program staff

Open Discussion: InterTribal Climate Resilience Strategy Framework: Strategic Working Groups (4:20 – 4:50 PM)

  • Overview of Strategic Development Team Introductory Meeting (10/01/2025)
  • Presentation of four coordinated Strategic Working Groups with specific functional areas
  • Framework for Information Sharing Network (ISN) integration across working groups
  • Preparation for Climate Resilience Committee meeting at ATNI Annual Convention
  • Four Strategic Working Groups Proposed:
  • Intertribal Strategic Defense (ISD)
    • Strictly limited to authorized Tribal delegates and Tribal leadership only
    • Strategic response coordination for climate threats and emergencies
    • Protection priorities: community infrastructure, water sources, cultural and natural resources
    • Rapid response planning and emergency management integration

Comment: Squaxin Island established emergency management program with similar structure targeting community infrastructure, water sources, cultural and natural resources. Multiple updates completed with ongoing training programs. Existing tribal systems can be enhanced through this framework. – Jim Peters (Squaxin Island Tribe)

Comment: Include energy development in national security discussions. Smaller tribes need support network when underfunded and understaffed. Example: Tlingit-Haida experience with typhoon response in Alaska demonstrates need for inter-tribal assistance framework. – Asa Washines (Yakama Nation)

Comment: ISD would support smaller Tribes and offer points-of-contact to call during catastrophic flooding and other climate emergencies and close capacity gaps for underfunded/understaffed communities. – (Speaker Unknown)

  • Governance, Advocacy, and Policy (GAP)
    • Cross-jurisdictional coordination mechanisms
    • Consultation advocacy at federal and state levels
    • Priority setting for unified tribal policy positions
    • Funding equity and resource allocation advocacy

Comment: Funding equity critical issue – Squaxin Island returned from DC without BIA Tribal Climate Resilience funding. Need for non-competitive funding to enable Tribal collaboration and capacity building. – Candice Penn (Squaxin Island Tribe)

Comment: “Competitive funding is by design to tear Tribes apart.” – Tony DiBenedetto (Coquille Indian Tribe)

Comment: Resolution forthcoming requesting self-governance expansion across all programs, allowing Tribes to move funds according to individual priorities. Not all tribes share same priorities. – G.I. James (Lummi Nation)

Comment: Consider membership criteria and function areas for who is included in these working group spaces, understanding of Tribal sovereignty and backgrounds essential. – Asa Washines (Yakama Nation)

  • Adaptation Resources & Capacity (ARC)
  • Philanthropic engagement and funding diversification
  • Workforce development programs
  • Leveraging existing resources to avoid duplication
  • Finding and securing adaptation funding sources

Comment: Self-governance consortium model demonstrates effective resource sharing without duplicating expenses across Tribes. – G.I. James (Lummi Nation)

Comment: University of Oregon Tribal Climate Tool presents collaboration opportunity for capacity building. – Candice Penn (Squaxin Island Tribe)

  • Research, Science, and Technical Assistance (RSTA)
  • Subject matter expert network development
  • Scientific collaboration with researchers who understand Tribal sovereignty
  • Technical assistance coordination across regions
  • Data collection standardization and sharing protocols
  • Northwest Climate Adaptation Science Center Partnership:
  • NW CASC strategic plan explicitly supports Tribal engagement
  • Eco-regional approach case studies
  • Cascadia Partner Forum collaboration including Canadian partnerships

Comment: Current funding structured by counties and states. Recommend restructuring funding based on ecosystem boundaries rather than political jurisdictions. – (Speaker not identified)

Comment: Many scientists lack understanding of Tribal needs, but some are committed partners. Need to identify and cultivate relationships with researchers who respect Tribal sovereignty. – Asa Washines (Yakama Nation)

Final Remarks and Next Steps (4:50 – 5:00 PM)

Comment: Community engagement and regional benchmarking: Developed comprehensive plan 25 years ago with 5 community goals and benchmarks. Cultural indicators developed through Elder consultation on access to traditional food sites. Coordinated with all Oregon tribes for regional approach. Established 10 regional benchmarks with standardized data format, flexible indicators allowing tribal customization, “sister communities” approach for similar regions to divide workload, counterpart system enabling efficient task distribution across tribes. – Jolene Estemo Pitt, (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs)

Comment: Self-governance tribes should add this to their agendas. Coordination doesn’t all have to happen through CRC – opportunity for integration with other ATNI committees and self-governance structures. – G.I. James (Lummi Nation)

Co-Chairs Closing Comments

  • Comment: “This strategy has been 2 years in the making. It is important to manage expectations within the committee.” Emphasis on continuing to listen and learn from Tribal communities. Need for a dedicated strategy session to refine and scale concepts discussed. Continued feedback and collaboration among Tribes essential for success. – Eddie Sherman (Diné, Omaha), Co-Chair
  • Comment: Tribal leaders must take message back to their Tribes and move this forward. “All need to be at the same table.” Oregon Tribes encouraged to reach out for collaboration; Emphasis on unity and collaboration during uncertain funding landscape. – Tony DiBenedetto, Co-Chair (Coquille Indian Tribe)

Action Items:

  • Call on Tribal leaders to communicate strategy framework to their Councils
  • Strategy refinement session to be scheduled
  • Integration with self-governance committee agendas
  • Continued feedback collection from all participating Tibes
  • Formal endorsement pending from CRC voting members at future convention(s)

Meeting adjourned at 5:00 PM.

ADOPTED AND RECOMMENDED TO GENERAL ASSEMBLY

N/A

COMMITTEE – TABLED

N/A

Minutes/Report submitted by: _________________________________________________

Committee Chair

ATTENDEES

Eddie Sherman (Diné, Omaha) | Principle, Against the Current Consulting, Climate Resilience Committee Co-Chair

Tony DiBenedetto (Coquille Indian Tribe) | Tribal Council Member, Climate Resilience Committee Co-Chair

Amber Art (Nisqually Indian Tribe) | Tribal Policy Director, Washington Department of Health

Kylie Avery (Shawnee) | Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison / Special Projects Manager, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians

Kurtis Barker (Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians) | Chief Executive Officer

Leanne Burke (Lumbee) | Tribal Affairs Manager, Puget Sound Partnership

Reggie Butler Jr. (Siletz) | Tribal Council Member

Shauna Campbell (Coeur d’Alene Tribe) | Research & Outreach Coordinator, Natural Resources Department

Cody Desautel (Colville Tribes) | Executive Director

Noah Dolinajec (Chinook Indian Nation) | Lands & Planning Coordinator

Catherine Edwards (Tlingit) | Executive Director, Suquamish Tribe

Jolene Estemo Pitt (Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs) | [Role Unknown]

Patrick Freeland (Muscogee Nation of Oklahoma) | Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison, Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians

Julia Good Stefani | Freshwater Attorney, Natural Resources Defense Council

Bobby Hagan | Pew Charitable Trusts

Ben Hess (Cheyenne River Sioux) | Tribal Climate Resilience Program Manager, Department of Commerce

Kyle Iron Lightning | Tribal Relations, Seattle Public Utilities

Gerald “G.I.” James (Lummi Nation) | Tribal Council Member

Tamara Jones | Deputy Program Manager, Climate Pollution Reduction Program, Washington State Department of Ecology

Jesse Madera (Nooksack Indian Tribe) | Tribal Council Member

[Name Unknown] (Spokane Tribe) | Tribal Liaison for Interstate Programs

[Name Unknown] (Tlingit & Haida) | [Role Unknown]

Candice Penn (Squaxin Island Tribe) | Climate Change Specialist

Jim Peters (Squaxin Island Tribe) | Tribal Council Member

Josh Ronald (Cowlitz Indian Tribe) | Transportation Manager

Phoebe Toombs (Hopi) | Indian Country Strategist, Craft3

Jeremy Walls (Squaxin Island Tribe) | Tribal Council Member

Asa Washines (Yakama Nation) | Washington State Office of the Attorney General

Jim Washington (Lummi Nation) | Tribal Council Member

Katie Wolf (Cowlitz Indian Tribe) | Emergency Manager