The response of one tribal college to the issue of climate change

Background/Question/Methods

Climate change poses unique threats and dangers to the survival of indigenous communities worldwide, even though they contribute the least to greenhouse gas emissions. Their traditional livelihoods and sustainable lifestyles are tied directly to the health of the land. This is no more true than the Menominee Indian Tribe of Wisconsin which takes its’ cultural identity and economic base from the rich forest ecosystem that the tribe has tended to for centuries in northern Wisconsin.

Results/Conclusions

The College of Menominee Nation, which was chartered by the Menominee tribe in 1993, has been instrumental in raising the awareness of what climate change means to Indian country. The college has held conferences, community workshops, conducted research, developed curriculum and changed operational protocols in response to this threat.  This presentation will focus on some of the specifics of these efforts and provide a best practices example of a holistic response to climate change. The college has adopted a realistic understanding that a balanced response must include both a mitigation and adaptation plan. Native Americans have proved their resiliency to past climatic changes in the Americas and can now offer evidence for future responses.