Senate Committee on Indian Affairs Oversight Hearing Focuses on Environmental Changes

Steve Mohan in Native Currents. Discussion »

WASHINGTON - The US Senate Committee on Indian Affairs is having an Oversight Hearing on the Impacts of Environmental Changes on Treaty Rights, Traditional Lifestyles, and Tribal Homelands. The hearing will examine the impact that climate changes have had on tribal homelands, including the resources available to mitigate and adapt to the changing environment.

Live Webcast Thursday

The climate in the United States is ever changing in all parts of the country and it affects every tribe. Even now, much of the United States is going through a major heat wave and that can have major affects on crops, animals, and many other things that tribes depend on to provide for themselves economically. Many treaties are affected by this as well where certain land is given to tribes and if the climate has affected that land it can really cripple the resources of tribes.

This hearing is to help tribes be able to prevent a lot of the affects the climate can have as well as give new ideas on how tribes can still prosper in spite of the climate changes affecting their lands. Our country is ever changing and all Native Americans need to be able to adapt and be prepared for these climate changes to lessen the burden they can bring with them.

The hearing will be webcast live.

To view the webcast Live use this Link.
Choose the Video tab. The webcast will not appear until the hearing broadcast begins.

WHEN:
Thursday, July 19

TIME:
2:15 pm est

WHERE:
The Dirksen Senate Office Building
Room 628

Witnesses:

The Honorable Mike Williams
Chief
Yupiit Nation
Akiak, AK

The Honorable Tex "Red Tipped Arrow" Hall
Chairman
Mandan, Hidatsa & Arikara Nation
New Town, ND

The Honorable Thomas Dardar Jr
Principal Chief
United Houma Nation
Golden Meadow, LA

Mr. Billy Frank
Chairman
Northwest Indian Fisheries Commission
Olympia, WA

Ms. Malia Akutagawa
Assistant Professor of Law
University of Hawaii at Manoa
William S. Richardson School of Law
Honolulu, HI

Ms. Joann K. Chase
Director
American Indian Environmental Office
US Environmental Protection Agency
Washington DC

Ms. Margaret Davidson
Director
Office of Ocean and Coastal Resource Management
NOAA Coastal Services Center
US Department of Commerce
Charleston, SC

updated July 19, 2012 12:20 am edt; posted July 18, 2012 6:00 am edt