Tribal communities’ traditions, identities, and economies rely heavily on local natural resources, making tribes especially vulnerable to climate change impacts, including changes in seasonal patterns and the potential loss of culturally and economically important species. The goal of this project was to build tribal capacity in the Pacific Northwest to successfully plan for and adapt to the effects of climate change. The funds associated with this project supported the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) Tribal Leaders Summit on Climate Change held on March 10-11, 2015 in Portland, Oregon. The summit gathered tribal leaders to discuss climate change impacts; share tribal strategies, plans, and policies; discuss tribal climate change needs and funding; and identify strategies to promote tribal adaptation and resilience to climate change. On a broader level, the summit supported ATNI’s goals of expanding awareness of federal climate change efforts, developing the ability of tribes to undertake climate change planning, and increasing tribal participation in national and regional efforts to address climate change.
