First Nations Development Institute awards NAFWS two grants to advance conversations around climate resilience in Alaska and the Continental U.S.

October 5, 2022 – This Fall, the Native American Fish & Wildlife Society (NAFWS) was awarded two grants totaling $170,650 by the First Nations Development Institute (FNDI) under the Stewarding Native Lands program. Through this funding, NAFWS will host a series of discussions for Tribal fish and wildlife professionals across the U.S. to increase their understanding of confronting, combating, and adapting to climate change.

“With funding through the First Nations Development Institute’s Stewarding Native Lands program, NAFWS is excited to provide a space where Tribal fish and wildlife professionals from across the regions and country can discuss innovative ways to improve fish and wildlife management and conservation measures involving the climate crisis and take these skills home to implement on their own Tribal lands,” said Dr. Thorstenson.

Recognizing that Tribal communities are often amongst the first and most severely impacted by climate change, NAFWS identified climate change as one of their National Initiatives and has worked to develop a team of staff and partners to provide technical assistance, trainings, and resources for Tribes facing climate impacts.

On August 10, 2022, NAFWS was awarded a grant of $100,650 to fund five (5) workshops at the Great Lakes, Northeast, Southeast and Great Plains Regional Conferences and the NAFWS Annual National Conference that will take place in Anchorage, AK in April 2023. The workshops, which are adapted to fit regional needs and priorities, include presentations from regional experts, real world climate resilience exercises, and round table discussions. Integrated into these workshops is also a discussion of the White House’s Justice40 Initiative that aims to direct 40 percent of federal investments into disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution.

Justin Leon, Senior Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison for the Alaska Region.

A second grant awarded September 6, 2022, expands the impact of NAFWS’ outreach efforts by bridging barriers of access to climate adaptation planning tools in Alaska. These funds will provide travel support for Alaska Natives to attend a Tribal Climate Adaptation 101 workshop developed in collaboration with the Alaska Climate Adaptation Science Center in Fairbanks, AK on October 4-6, 2022 and a workshop at the 2022 Alaska Regional Conference on October 19, 2022.

The first Climate Resilience & Justice40 Workshop took place in September at the 2022 Great Lakes Regional Conference hosted by the Lac Courte Oreilles Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians in Hayward, WI. The workshop was coordinated by Rob Croll, Policy Analyst/Climate Change Program Coordinator for the Great Lakes Indian Fish & Wildlife Commission and included presentations and discussions on tracking climate change impacts, Tribal food sovereignty, funding opportunities, youth engagement, and a regionally developed Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu (Dibaginjigaadeg Anishinaabe Ezhitwaad).

Workshops are scheduled for the 2022 Alaska Regional Conference on October 19, 2022 in Anchorage, AK and the 2022 Northeast Regional Business Dinner on October 18, 2022 in Bar Harbor, ME. Visit the NAFWS website and follow us on social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn) for more information about upcoming workshops.

About Us

NAFWS is the only national Tribal organization with a specific focus on Tribal fish and wildlife resources. As a unique membership organization with 227 Support Member Tribes in 7 regions, NAFWS strives to meet the needs of its Individual Members and Member Tribes through conferences, trainings, youth education, and by participating with innovative projects and initiatives in Indian Country.

Learn more about NAFWS and become a member at www.nafws.org.