Tribal Profiles, Fact Sheets and Climate Planning Tools

These climate change resources include a wide range of materials, from profiles of tribal climate change efforts around the United States, fact sheets that focus on climate change impacts, adaptation strategies, and other relevant topics, and planning resources for developing climate change vulnerability assessments and adaptation plans. Additional tribal climate change planning resources can be found here:

Title Description Geography Website
Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc. Collaborative Tribal Climate Adaptation Planning

Tribes in Michigan are currently experiencing the impacts of climate change: warmer average annual air and surface water temperatures, more volatile weather with extreme precipitation events, decreases in duration and extremity of winter temperatures, and increases in duration of summer temperatures. This document offers a snapshot of the results of a cooperative effort among the Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan, Inc., and nice federally recognized tribes in Michigan.

Categories: adaptation plan, data, climate change, resources,

Midwest, Michigan Link
Vulnerability of Coastal Louisiana Tribes in a Climate Change Context

Living among the bayous in southern Louisiana, coastal tribes have a long history of vulnerability to and impacts from a range of environmental and human-caused events, including storms, subsidence, land sinking and shrinking, sea-level rise and oil spills. These events have posed uncommon challenges to these indigenous communities. In January 2012, several tribal communities from coastal Louisiana (including Grand Bayou Village, Grand Caillou/Dulac, Isle de Jean Charles and Pointe-au-Chien Indian Tribes) met to “share knowledge, support, cultural connectivity and adaption strategies” in response to the significant environmental changes they face. This meeting, convened by the tribes and attended by the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), brought together local tribal members, national tribal leaders, faith leaders, government agency representatives, and resource specialists to share information on the various opportunities, resources, and programs available to tribal communities experiencing the impacts of large-scale environmental change.

Categories: Adaptation, Collaboration, Tribal

Gulf Coast, Southeast Link
Tribal Climate Change Adaptation Resources

This resource page was created to provide Tribal Nations and Indigenous Communities with a comprehensive selection of climate change adaptation tools while considering traditional knowledges and the cultural significance of land, water, and other natural resources.

Categories: adaptation, land, water, natural resources, management, climate change, traditional knowledges

Southeast, National Link
USDA Programs and Resources to Assist with Adaptation to Climate Change

This table is a compilation of USDA programs and resources to assist Tribes with adaptation and mitigation of climate change. This resource have been reviewed and approved by the USDA Office of Tribal Relations. There are over 140 USDA program and resources that provide financial assistance, technical assistance, loans, insurance, or services to help Tribes adapt to climate change. Disclaimer: Details of programs and resources listed are from the 2014 Farm Bill and will be updated to reflect the 2018 Farm  Bill.

Categories: adaptation, mitigation, climate change, financial assistance, technical assistance, loans, insurance

National Link
Passamaquoddy Tribe at Pleasant Point: Climate Change Impacts and Strategies

Steve Crawford, director of the Passamaquoddy Tribes' Environmental Department and chair of the Natural Resources Committee of the United South and Eastern Tribes (USET) cooperative, is working with local tribes to spread the word about climate change and addressing what tribes can do through adaptation and miitigation. Steve is working with Passamaquoddy Tribe on alternative energy and fuel sources, and feels immediate action is required to reverse the warming process.

Categories: Adaptation, Mitigation, Education, Energy, Tribal

Northeast Link
First Stewards Symposium: Coastal Peoples Address Climate Change

In July 2012, four coastal treaty tribes from Washington State, the Hoh, Makah, and Quileute Tribes and Quinault Indian Nation, hosted the First Stewards Symposium at the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington DC in recognition of the rapid changes coastal tribes are experiencing from climate change and changes in marine ecosystems. The Symposium convened coastal people from across the United States and its territories to discuss the impacts of climate change and strategies for mitigation and adaptation. Tribal leaders, governmental and non-governmental agency representatives, academics, and non-profit indigenous advocates came together to demonstrate the impacts of climate change in regions throughout the U.S. and its territories and how indigenous adaptations to climate change can guide society moving forward. The Symposium emphasized strategies to promote actions in society-at-large to adapt to climate change and discussed the opportunity for native people to be leaders and provide models for other native and non-native communities. The First Stewards Symposium led to a resolution illustrating the impacts of climate change on traditional ways of life and culture and calling for the formal recognition and inclusion of indigenous communities in the formation of policies, management and other government action.

Categories: Adaptation, Mitigation, Organization, Tribal

National, US States and Territories, International Link
Indigenous Peoples and Northwest Climate Initiatives: Exploring the Role of Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Resource Management

In 2012, the North Pacific Landscape Conservation Cooperative (NPLCC) and the Northwest Climate Science Center (NW CSC) awarded over $300,000 in funds to seven projects that facilitate the use of traditional ecological knowledge to help inform natural and cultural resource management. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service provided funds to the NPLCC for these projects, with two of the projects co-sponsored by the Northwest Climate Science Center. This profile showcases projects and shares the diverse ways in which tribal, First Nations and Alaska Native communities are gathering TEK, integrating this knowledge into resource management, and addressing gaps in climate change information.

Categories: Adaptation, Mitigation, Tribal

Northwest Link
Tribal Climate Adaptation Guidebook

The Oregon Climate Change Research Institute, along with Adaptation International, created the Tribal Climate Adaptation Guidebook, which provides a framework for climate change adaptation planning in the context of existing tribal priorities. The Guidebook builds on the on-going climate-related work in tribal communities, directly considers the unique issues facing Indigenous communities, and identifies opportunities and guidance for incorporating Traditional Knowledges based on the Climate and Traditional Knowledges Workgroup’s Guidelines for Considering Traditional Knowledges (TKs) in Climate Change Initiatives. The Tribal Climate Adaptation Guidebook is designed to be useful for tribes at any stage of adaptation planning and with varying degrees of funding and staff capacity. The Guidebook is designed so that tribes can work through any applicable section and skip sections that are not applicable. The development of the guidebook was overseen by a group of advisors who supported the writing staff by refining the goals and objectives for the Guidebook and by providing regular reviews throughout the development process. The project was funded by a grant from the North Pacific Landscape Conservation Cooperative and received supplemental funding from the Pacific Northwest Climate Impacts Research Consortium and the Oregon Climate Change Research Institute.

Categories: adaptation, planning, resource, climate change

National, Northwest Link
Mescalero Apache Tribe: Innovative approaches to climate change adaptation

The Mescalero Apache Tribe of south-central New Mexico has been observing changes in the local climate and ecosystems, including changes in temperature and precipitation and increased frequency and intensity of wildfires in the area due to exceptionally dry forest conditions. This profile provides an overview of various projects that are helping the tribe to adapt and become more resilient to climate change impacts, including landscape conservation projects, renewable energy and energy efficiency, fisheries and water projects, and sustainability initiatives.

Categories: Adaptation, Research, Tribal

Southwest Link
Tuscarora: Drawing on Traditional Teaching to Confront a Changing Climate

The Tuscarora Nation is one of Six Nations of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, commonly referred to as the Iroquois, all based in New York state. Each Nation in the confederacy has taken steps to address climate change impacts and promote cultural solidity by tapping their traditional knowledge base. The Tuscarora began an Environmental program that has addressed an array of bio-cultural concerns through innovative programs that draw on traditional knowledge. Projects include protecting the community's traditional food base through a seed-banking program and community-based agriculture, conducting a comprehensive GIS analysis of the tribe's natural resources, land-restoration projects, a program to pass cultural knowledge and wisdom to the youth, and sustainability efforts.

Categories: Adaptation, TEK, Tribal

Northeast Link
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe: Climate Change and Adaptation Planning for Haudenosaunee Tribes

Tribes are beginning to identify potential climate change impacts on their cultural and environmental resources and to develop climate change adaptation plans. The Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe, located in New York and Canada, is in the early stages of adaptation planning. The Tribe is bringing together the Haudenosaunee decisions makers from the Tuscarora Nation, Seneca Nation, Tonawanda Nation, Onondaga Nation, Cayuga Nation, and Oneida Nation in New York as well as the Mohawk Nation and Shinnecock Nation to identify priority resources that should be considered in addressing climate change. The goal of the Haudenosaunee and other Tribes is to combine knowledge of traditional cultural resource values with local knowledge of recent climate changes. The ultimate goal of this unique strategy is to bring together Tribal decision makers to share information that will lead to practical planning.

Categories: Adaptation, Tribal

Northeast Link
Inter-tribal Council of Michigan, Inc: Climate Adaptation Page

ITCMI Environmental Services facilitates climate adaptation efforts to assess and plan for climate-driven change, with the goals of protecting and enhancing tribal natural and cultural resources and ways of life. For more information.

Categories: adaption plan, natural, cultural, resources,

Midwest and Michigan Link
Climate Change in the Northwest: Implications for our Landscapes, Waters and Communities

This report assesses the state of knowledge about key climate impacts and consequences to various sectors and communities in the Pacific Northwest. It draws on a wealth of peer-reviewed literature, earlier state-level assessment reports conducted for Washington (2009) and Oregon (2010), as well as a risk framing workshop. As an assessment, it summarizes the key climate change topics as reflected in the growing body of Northwest climate change science, impacts, and adaptation literature currently available.

Categories: Assessment, Northwest, Risk

Northwest Link
Climate Change Vulnerability Index for Ecosystems and Habitats

The Index (“HCCVI”) is a framework for a series of measurements to determine how vulnerable a given natural community or habitat type might be to climate change. We use available data and expert knowledge in series analyses for climate change exposure (ecological stress caused by of climate change), and resilience (the ability to cope with ecological stress and avoid collapse). This framework and method serves as a habitat-based companion to the NatureServe Climate Change Vulnerability Index for species.

Categories: assessment, vulnerability, index, ecosystems, data, conservation

Western United States Link
Climate-Smart Conservation: Putting Adaptation Principles into Practice

Natural resource managers and conservation professionals can use this guide to help them incorporate climate considerations into their program. DOI Climate Science Centers provide tribal versions of this climate adaptation planning course through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service National Conservation Training Center. The Bureau of Indian Affairs Climate Change Program provides annual travel support grants to permit tribes to attend this and other climate trainings.

Categories: Bureau of Indian Affairs, BIA, adaptation, trainings

National Link
Nez Perce Tribe: Carbon Sequestration Program

In the mid to late 1990’s, the Nez Perce Forestry & Fire Management Division began developing a carbon offset strategy to market Carbon Sequestration Credits. This profile describes the tribe’s initial trial afforestation project, and their strategies for reinvesting revenue from the sale of carbon to invest in additional afforestation projects, wildlife rehabilitation and forest development.

Categories: Carbon Sequestration, Carbon Offset, Tribal

Northwest Link
Climate Action Through Equity

"The City of Portland has long been a global leader in addressing climate change. In 1993, Portland became the first city in the United States to adopt a local plan to address climate change. Since then, while carbon emissions have increased nationally, Portland and Multnomah County have achieved significant declines in emissions. In 2014, total emissions were 21% below 1990 levels...Many African-American residents have moved to East Portland from N/NE Portland over the past 20 years and have not benefited from the green investments that have taken place in their former inner neighborhoods. To address this, the 2015 Climate Action Plan emphasizes investing in people as well as infrastructure. Connecting community members with job opportunities that result from actions in the plan and providing training opportunities for local youth can build wealth and avoid displacement in communities."

Categories: climate action, equity, planning, infrastructure, carbon emissions, mitigation

Portland, OR Link
Climate Adaptation for Pacific Northwest Forests

NNRG is a think-learn-and-do tank of ecological forestry. Operating primarily in western Washington and Oregon, they focus on forests owned and managed by private landowners, smaller forest product companies, governmental agencies, Indian tribes, and non-profit organizations. They aim to strengthen the ecological and economic vitality of Northwest forests and communities by connecting people with the knowledge, skills, and markets they need to steward their land. In Fall 2019 NNRG hosted three workshops on Climate Adaptation Strategies for Pacific Northwest Forests to help foresters and land managers make informed decisions about adapting their management practices to meet their goals and sustain forests into the future. View past recordings and presentations here. 

Categories: climate adaptation, Pacific Northwest, forest management

Pacific Northwest Link
Climate Change Planning Tools for First Nations -- Guidebook 3: Vulnerability and Community Sustainability

CIER has developed a set of guidebooks designed for First Nations communities to aid in the development of climate planning documents. This is the third guidebook in that series.

Categories: Climate adaptation, Planning

International Link
Climate Change Planning Tools for First Nations -- Guidebook 6: Monitoring Progress and Change

CIER has developed a set of guidebooks designed for First Nations communities to aid in the development of climate planning documents. This is the second guidebook in that series.

Categories: Climate Adaptation, Planning

International Link
Climate Change and Water Resources--What it means to tribes and how we can adapt

Provides detailed description of water health hazards and impacts on tribes. Suggests realistic plans to adapt to and mitigate changing water resources and water health.

Categories: climate adaptation. climate mitigation, water health, infrastructure, sea level, acidification, drought, flood, water access, fact sheet

United States Link
Climate change and indigenous peoples: a synthesis of current impacts and experiences

A growing body of literature examines the vulnerability, risk, resilience, and adaptation of indigenous peoples to climate change. This synthesis of literature brings together research pertaining to the impacts of climate change on sovereignty, culture, health, and economies that are currently being experienced by Alaska Native and American Indian tribes and other indigenous communities in the United States. The knowledge and science of how climate change impacts are affecting indigenous peoples contributes to the development of policies, plans, and programs for adapting to climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This report defines and describes the key frameworks that inform indigenous understandings of climate change impacts and pathways for adaptation and mitigation, namely, tribal sovereignty and self-determination, culture and cultural identity, and indigenous community health indicators. It also provides a comprehensive synthesis of climate knowledge, science, and strategies that indigenous communities are exploring, as well as an understanding of the gaps in research on these issues. This literature synthesis is intended to make a contribution to future efforts such as the 4th National Climate Assessment, while serving as a resource for future research, tribal and agency climate initiatives, and policy development.

Categories: climate change, adaptation, TEK, traditional knowledge, mitigation, sovereignty,

National Link
G-WOW Guiding for Tomorrow: Changing Climate, Changing Culture

The “Gikinoo’wizhiwe Onji Waaban” (Guiding for Tomorrow) or “G-WOW” Initiative is a unique approach to increasing awareness of how climate change is affecting Lake Superior’s coastal environment, people, cultures, and economies. G-WOW integrates scientific climate change research with place-based evidence of how climate change is affecting traditional Ojibwe lifeways and people of all cultures. The Initiative brings native perspectives and involvement to addressing issues of climate change by directly engaging native communities, educators, and students, providing learners with knowledge about what they can do to mitigate or adapt to a changing climate.

Categories: climate change, awareness, cultures, economies, mitigation, adaption, students

Lake Superior Link
Climate Change Adaptation Certification Tool

The Climate Change Adaptation Certification Tool was developed to support communities beyond planning—helping them implement their updated Comprehensive Plan. Using this 3-step CCAC tool for rapid implementation of climate savvy planning goals and policies will enable community services, infrastructure, ecosystems and economies to better anticipate and respond to the effects of climate change.

Categories: climate change, climate change impacts, adaptation, communities, planning, infrastructure

National Link
Climate Toolbox

A collection of web tools for visualizing past and projected climate and hydrology of the Pacific Northwest, USA​. To access the Northwest Climate Toolbox Workbook, which offers step by step guidance on how to use the toolbox, go to https://pnwcirc.org/sites/pnwcirc.org/files/nwct.pdf 

Categories: climate change, climate change impacts, tools, decision making, planning, assessment, water management, agriculture, fire, climate monitoring

Pacific Northwest Link
Looking to the Future on Alaska’s North Slope

In order to understand the potential costs and benefits of developing Arctic resources in a safe and sustainable manner—and to help ensure that residents and ecosystems in the region can adapt as conditions change—federal, state, local, and Native entities in Alaska formed the North Slope Science Initiative (NSSI). The group is authorized to serve as an inter-governmental forum for science collaboration through the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

Categories: Climate Change, Development, Biodiversity Conservation

Alaska, Arctic Link
Correlation and Climate Sensitivity of Human Health and Environmental Indicators in the Salish Sea

In 2012, the North Pacific Landscape Conservation Cooperative awarded over $300,000 to seven projects aimed at increasing the use of TEK in climate change adaptation and natural and cultural management. The Swinomish Tribe and Tsleil Waututh First Nation, two peoples of the Salish Sea, collaborated together on one of these projects. By bringing together data on environmental, cultural and human health impacts, the project partners are refining their understanding about what areas within their communities may be most sensitive to climate impacts. In doing so, the Swinomish Tribe and Tsleil Waututh First Nation are gaining a more complete understanding of how climate change may affect their communities. This innovative approach builds upon previous work done by the Swinomish Tribe and has potential as a model for other tribal communities aiming to better understand climate impacts to their people and homelands.
Puget Sound Partnership, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Environment Canada scientists and land managers have identified a number of environmental indicators applicable throughout the Salish Sea to evaluate the status, or health, of the trans-boundary water body. Evaluating the current status of a set of environmental indicators is a first step toward ranking and prioritizing management and restoration actions in order to improve the health of the Salish Sea as an ecosystem. For this project, Swinomish and Tsleil-Waututh each selected a pair of environmental indicators, inventoried available data relating to those indicators, and created projections of the status of those indicators in relation to climate change. Criteria for indicator use included: 1) applicable to lands within reservation/reserve boundaries (site-specific rather than landscape scale (e.g. orcas or birds); 2) sufficient existing data supporting the indicator; and 3) indicators were culturally appropriate for the Swinomish and Tsleil-Waututh communities.

Categories: climate change, fisheries, shelfish, aquaculture, management, conservation, collaboration, international

Canada, United States, British Columbia, Washington state, Puget Sound Link
NCAI Climate Action Resource Center (CARC)

NCAI developed this resource center to serve as an online hub where tribal leaders, natural resource managers, climate scientists, and other interested stakeholders can access the latest information, data, and other key resources on climate change, its particular impacts on Indian Country, and how tribal nations are taking action to combat it. This center is designed to serve as a growing resource that tribal nations can use to inform and guide strategic decision making in their crafting of self-governed approaches to climate action.

Categories: climate change, impacts, adaptation, tribes, climate scientists, decision making

National Link
Indigenous Masculinities in a Changing Climate: Vulnerability and Resilience in the United States

"Gender shapes Indigenous vulnerability and resilience due to the coupled social and ecological challenges of climate change in Indigenous communities in the United States (Maynard, 1998; Grossman and Parker, 2012; Bennett et al., 2014; Maldonado et al., 2014; Whyte, 2014). Despite its relevance, little research has analyzed the ways in which gender shapes climate change experiences. Even less research has focused on the impacts of climate change on Indigenous masculinity. With this backdrop, we foreground Indigenous men and masculinities with respect to climate change vulnerability and resilience."

Categories: Climate change, Indigenous peoples, feminism, gender, vulnerability, climate justice

National Link
National Indian Health Board Resources

The categories on this page contain resources which may be relevant to Tribal Public health and climate change including NIHB resources, websites and general external resources, climate change reports, media, and external webinars.

Categories: climate change, public health, tribal health, community well-being, fact sheets, project resources

National, Alaska Link