A report that the Institute of Tribal Environmental Professionals at Northern Arizona University published shows how Indigenous Nations respond to climate change.
The 300+ page report, ‘The Status of Tribes and Climate Change Report’, talks about the science of climate change and weaves personal stories from tribal members on how they adapt and cope with climate change impacts.
These stories from tribal members of the Indigenous peoples of North America are essential because it highlights their Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). The report combines the traditional knowledge of the Indigenous people with the western science perspective to help tribal members respond to climate change.
Indigenous people are on the frontlines of climate change and climate adaptation. They possess incredible resilience and innovation from their Indigenous knowledge, worldviews, and strong connection to their land and environment passed on from countless generations.
However, many tribal communities are also experiencing severe climate change impacts like shifts or loss in key cultural species, land loss due to erosion, permafrost thaws, and flooding. These challenges are daunting fuelled by the lack of funding, technical resources, and their painful experiences of colonialism and discrimination.
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