The Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons are a multi-regional support network to assist Tribes in addressing science-based needs available to them at Department of the Interior's Climate Adaptation Science Centers, for improved climate adaptation planning efforts.
The Regional Tribal Climate Resilience Liaisons are stationed at Department of the Interior (DOI) Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs), and their support spans across Indian Country and Alaska Native villages. Their role serves to technically assist Tribal Nations and Alaska Native Villages in response to specific, yet diverse challenges faced from increasing environmental hazards and extreme weather events due to a changing climate. Tribal Liaisons serve as extension agents, facilitating research, linking Tribal needs to available resources, and coordinating trainings, workshops, forums and exchanges. See the TRP Regional Resilience Liaison Poster / Map (2018) for each Tribal Liaison’s CASC Region and bio, the Tribal Resilience Liaison Infographic - Success Stories (2020) for a summary of the network's highlights, and the Contact Us page for contact information about the Tribal Resilience Liaisons as well as BIA Regional Support.
To establish the Regional Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison positions, each liaison has a unique partnership which links them to Tribal resources. Many of these liaisons engage with Tribal Nations through BIA partnerships with the following non-profit Tribal organizations:
- American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) - The Southwest Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison(s) are currently being selected.
- The South Central Tribal Liaison, April Taylor, works with the SC CASC. She serves Tribes in Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana, and her position is not funded through a partnership with BIA.
- The second SC CASC liaison position is currently vacant and will be solicited soon, to serve Tribes in New Mexico.
- United South & Eastern Tribes, Inc. (USET) - Eastern Tribal Liaison, Casey Thornbrugh, works with the NE and SE CASCs.
- Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) - Northwest Tribal Liaison, Chas Jones, is at the NW CASC. An Assistant Liaison position is being solicited now!
- Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) - Three Alaska Tribal Liaisons are currently being selected, and will be working with the NAFWS and the resources available at the AK CASC.
- Malinda works as a Tribal Liaison through the University of Alaska, Fairbanks with the AK CASC Tribal Resilience Learning Network.
- College of the Menominee Sustainable Development Institute (CMN SDI) - Midwest Tribal Liaison, Sara Smith, is at the MW CASC.
- Great Plains Tribal Water Alliance (GPTWA) - North Central Tribal Liaison, Stefan Tangen, is at the NC CASC.
Feature:
Minnesota Climate Adaptation Award Winner - Sara Smith
Congratulations to Sara Smith, who has served in the Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison network since 2017! She has worked with the Northeast and Midwest Climate Adaptation Science Centers (CASCs) and the College of Menominee Nation through a partnership with the BIA Tribal Climate Resilience program to connect Tribal Nations in the upper Midwest to resources that further their climate adaptation efforts. She also serves in a lead role for the Northeast Indigenous Climate Resilience Network as well as being a member of the Tribal Adaptation Menu Team. The Individual Adaptation Award honors someone who has offered significant leadership, provided education, developed or implemented strategies, conducted research, or otherwise made an impact in the field of climate adaptation in Minnesota. Sara uses her expertise in research, natural resources, ecology, Indigenous and/or Traditional (Ecological) Knowledge, and Tribal communities to engage with Indigenous peoples in the Midwest CASC Region and provide them with resilience support. Read more about Sara's award on the University of Minnesota website.
