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CIEA Environmental Chronicle - Vol. 40, Issue 1, September 2022

Monthly news of environmental issues affecting Indigenous Peoples

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1. Opening Remarks- Sending prayers and standing with James Smith Cree Nation

Our hearts are full during these times as we continue living through a pandemic, the misinformation that arises about Monkeypox, continue showing support for our Black relatives, seeing a continued fight for deconstruction/destruction of nationalistic symbols of colonization, and the recent attacks on our James Smith Cree Nation relatives. As communities across Turtle Island and across the world denounce colonialism and its effects, CIEA stands in solidarity with Indigenous resistance work as well as those led by other BIPOC communities that are happening currently across the nation.

We are doing our part within the larger conversation and show support as we continue asking western institutions and entities to work towards righting the wrongs that continue to perpetuate violence and dispossession to us and other BPOC. We would like to take this opportunity to put medicines down for our James Smith Cree Nation relatives who has been struck by a recent tragic event. We offer Creator our prayers and ask them to guide the community and to keep its members safe. 

We must do our part within the larger conversation and demand accountability and reparations such as land back and other acts of Indigenous resistance.

We stand in true solidarity with our Indigenous relatives and communities in Canada and commit to anti-racist work. CIEA would like to use our platform to denounce anti-Indigeneity perpetrated by settler colonial societies like the U.S., Canada, Australia, and across the globe.

The CIEA office is physically closed until September 30th as part of the ‘shelter in place’ directive. Of course if the situation changes we will have to adjust our plan. We will continue to work remotely and are available via email and through our phone, our messages are checked daily.

Again, we are so happy to be able to provide you with monthly announcements about training, capacity building, Tribal Self-Advocacy and funding opportunities, as well as water related news. Readers are more than welcome to send information about upcoming events, training, or news that you think would be beneficial for other Tribal members in other regions to know to our Communications and Public Relations Coordinator, Joel Sedano at [log in to unmask]

2. Funding Opportunity- Tribal Nation Grant Fund - Emergency Response Grant- Ongoing Basis

The Emergency Response Grant is available to eligible tribes to respond to and provide relief for the immediate impacts of unexpected situations that threaten the health and safety of tribal communities and require emergency action. Eligible tribes may apply for up to $100,000 per emergency and must provide an authorizing resolution and a tribal emergency resolution/proclamation. Funding is ongoing and is typically considered on a monthly basis. For more information, please hit the read more button to be redirected to the CA.gov website where the info is housed

READ MORE:
http://tngf.ca.gov/emergency_response_grant.html

3. Tribal Engagement Opportunity- OPR’s upcoming Tribal Advisory Group: Nominations email must be in by September 9, 2022

I'm reaching out to share an opportunity to nominate candidates for the Fifth Climate Change Assessment's Tribal Advisory Group, which can be found in the read more button below. If you have any partners that may be interested, it would be fantastic if you could share this!  We are asking for Advisory Group member nominations to email a letter of recommendation from a tribe and resume/bio to me at [log in to unmask] by September 9, 2022. If they would like to have a meeting, consultation, or need more information, please do not hesitate to reach out to us.

Overview

The Governor’s Office for Planning and Research is excited to be standing up the first Tribal Research Program within California’s Climate Change Assessments. This program is largely based on the work of the Fourth Assessment Tribal and Indigenous Communities Report. We are at the very initial stages, with the first step of standing up a Tribal Advisory Group to guide this lasting and meaningful work. A letter respectfully requesting consultation was sent to California Native American Tribe in June of 2022.

 A call for nominations for members to serve on the Tribal Advisory Group is attached. Ideally we hope to find members to represent youth/elders, Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), different regions in California, federally and non-federally recognized tribes, and a variety of climate/environmental expertise.   We will be taking up topics such as how we approach TEK integration into this work and research priorities for Tribes. This group will be compensated and will likely meet one time per month through May 2026.

Thank you for your consideration and contribution to make this exciting component of the Fifth Assessment a success!

 

Patricia Kennedy (she/her)
Tribal Research Manager, Fifth Climate Change Assessment
Governor’s Office of Planning and Research
916.758.0579

 

READ MORE:
https://opr.ca.gov/climate/icarp/climate-assessment/#:~:text=California%E2%80%99s%20Fifth%20Climate%20Change%20Assessment%20Leveraging%20diverse%20expertise,scientific%20foundation%20for%20understanding%20climate-related%20vulnerability%20throughout%20California.
 

4. Tribal Engagement Opportunity- Invitation to meet and engage with the SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program

Greetings Tribal government representatives and other interested parties,

The SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program is interested in building relationships with California Native American Tribes and learning about each tribes’ interest and readiness to partner with us.

Background

The Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program works with its many partners to answer the question: Is it safe to eat fish and shellfish in California waters that the public and tribes use for consumption, subsistence, and/or cultural purposes?

The Water Board’s Surface Water Ambient Monitoring Program (SWAMP) evaluated its Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program and issued a Realignment Plan in December 2020. The Realignment Plan calls for a focus on incorporating Tribal perspectives and needs into its monitoring efforts and ensuring those data and information are useful and used by Californian Native American Tribes (tribes) who rely on waterbodies for traditional, cultural, and subsistence uses. The inclusion of representatives from Tribal governments and/or Tribal advocacy groups in the Realignment process is central to the success of the Program and long-term (10+ year) Realignment effort. Tribal representatives who choose to participate in a future Realignment Process will have the opportunity to highlight priorities and shape the future of the Program in their region so that it better serves their communities.

Tribal Engagement Plan

From March to November 2022, the Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program will be conducting statewide outreach and engagement with tribes that are interested in learning more about the Program or the Realignment process. The main objectives of this Tribal engagement effort are to:

Initiate introductions between Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program staff and tribes.
Explain the Program and Realignment process, and gauge Tribal interest and readiness to participate in future Realignment cycles.
Execute the engagement well in advance of the beginning of the next Regional Realignment cycle (2024) so that tribes have time to make an informed decision regarding their interest and readiness to engage with the Program and participate in future Realignment cycles.


How to Participate

Schedule an introductory meeting with Program staff. Introductory meetings can be short (~30 min) or long (one or more hours), depending on Tribal representatives’ interest and availability.

To schedule a meeting with Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program staff, please complete the Tribal Engagement Interest Form to indicate your interest in connecting with us, your availability to set up a meeting, who should be included in the meeting invitation, and their contact information. There is no deadline to complete the form. The form can be found by clicking the read more button below.



Resources below can be found on the Water Boards website.


Tribal Engagement Plan
Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Fact Sheet
Realignment Plan Fact Sheet
Realignment Plan Executive Summary


Contact

Anna Holder, SWAMP Bioaccumulation Monitoring Program Coordinator and Realignment Lead, at [log in to unmask] (preferred) or 916-341-5096.

READ MORE:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf8cHblcWM1oVGgepmK_NNSHOxbiwK4IwomkxEf30k0-cI6dQ/viewform

5. Conference Opportunity- Rising Voices 10: September 14-16th, Virtual

Save the date! The 10th Annual Rising Voices Workshop will be held virtually, Wednesday, September 14 – Friday, September 16, 2022. The workshop theme is Emergent Knowledge through Indigenous and Earth Science Collaborations. More details and registration information coming soon!

The Rising Voices Center for Indigenous and Earth Sciences (Rising Voices) facilitates opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous scientific experts and community leaders from around the world to jointly address how extreme weather and climate events are impacting communities and to develop action plans. Rising Voices aspires to advance science through the collaborations of Indigenous and Earth (atmospheric, social, biological, ecological) sciences, along with an intercultural approach to addressing and understanding extreme weather events.

For more information, please hit the read more button below.

READ MORE:
https://risingvoices.ucar.edu/

6. Webinar- Air, Climate, & Energy Research Webinar Series: What Can We Learn From a Consistent 18-Year Dataset?- September 20th

EPA scientists have developed a set of modeled meteorology, emissions, air quality and pollutant depositions spanning the years 2002 through 2019 called EPA’s Air QUAlity TimE Series Project (EQUATES).  The air quality and deposition data are being used by epidemiologists and ecologists to study decadal trends in pollution and link air quality to adverse health and ecological effects. The meteorology and emissions data are being used to test if updates to the air quality modeling system based on new scientific research improve the estimation of pollutants such as ozone and particulate matter.  Developers of the database will provide information about EQUATES and how it can be applied, and users of the data will offer additional perspective. For more information on registering for the webinar, please hit the read more button below. 

READ MORE:
https://www.epa.gov/air-research/air-climate-energy-research-webinar-series

7. Technical Assistance: Small/Disadvantaged Community Technical Assistance available

If you are in a small or disadvantaged community, you may be interested in the following program through the Environmental Finance Center at Sacramento State. They provide technical assistance for work plans for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure projects; these work plans can be used to develop applications for construction funding through the State Water Board.

They also provide GIS assistance with facility mapping and assessing groundwater contaminations risks.

They also provide grant application assistance.

Check out their website by hitting the read more button below and also you can check out the small/disadvantaged community page: https://www.efc.csus.edu/small-and-or-disadvantaged-community-assistance/

Contact them for more info if your facility could use some help!

READ MORE:
https://www.efc.csus.edu/

8. Invitation: Cultural Heritage Pavilion - Native American Day September 23, 2022

Dear Cultural Practitioner,

The California Water Boards and the Natural Resources Agency invite you to apply to showcase a cultural practice at the 54th Annual California Native American Day Cultural Heritage Pavilion. The deadline to submit an application to be considered as a cultural practitioner is August 19.

The 55th Annual California Native American Day
Friday, September 23, 2022 - State Capitol – West Steps
"Standing Strong Together”
10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Starting in 1939, Native American Day is considered a time-honored tradition in the California Native American community. This is an all-nations event where every tribe, tribal community, and member of the public is welcome. This event is hosted by the California Tribal Chairpersons Association.

The Cultural Heritage Pavilion is an opportunity for cultural practitioners to share cultural practices, wisdom, language, and history with Native American Day attendees. Ten cultural practitioners will be selected to have a table in the Cultural Heritage Pavilion tent and deliver a presentation or demonstration of cultural practices. To apply to be considered as a cultural practitioner, please submit a completed application by August 19. Selected practitioners will be notified by late August. The application can be accessed by clicking this link to a Microsoft form. If you have any trouble accessing the form, please reach out.

Here’s what you can expect as a cultural practitioner:

· Prepare and deliver a presentation to a live audience about a cultural practice.

· Prepare a written description and photo of your cultural practice (if appropriate) or your group to be included in the printed event program.

· Share a spacious tent on the state capitol grounds with nine other cultural practitioners, each with individual tables.

· Set up your table beginning at 7:00 am.

· Receive a small honorarium for your time and expertise.

· The planning committee will respect and value the cultural wisdom and expertise shared.

· The planning committee will provide information to selected practitioners about day-of logistics.

· The planning committee will actively outreach to schools and organizations to encourage active participation and attendance to learn from cultural practitioners.

If you cannot participate, please direct this invitation to other cultural practitioners you believe may be interested in participating. For more information about Native American Day, please visit the Native American Day Facebook Page or californianativeamericanday.com.

Feel free to contact us should you have questions.



Thank you,
Adriana Renteria (she/they)
Director and Tribal Liaison
Office of Public Participation
State Water Resources Control Board
1001 I Street
Sacramento CA 95814
[log in to unmask]

9. Tribal Engagement Opportunity- Racial Equity and Water- Water Board

My name is Kason Grady and I am an engineer and supervisor with the North Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board (Regional Water Board). Karen already knows me, but I don’t think that I have met Ms. Norris yet, so it’s nice to meet you. I specifically volunteered to reach out to NCRP on this topic of racial equity and water quality because I already meet with Karen regularly during our executive team meetings and would like to further build this relationship.

 

The Regional Water Board is working toward a future where a person’s race or tribal affiliation does not predict their access to or quality of water and where water quality conditions are improved for all marginalized groups. We are taking the first steps to achieve this future by, in part, drafting a Racial Equity Resolution (Resolution) that will acknowledge historical and present-day racial inequities and injustices and commit to developing an Action Plan with specific actions to advance racial equity in the North Coast Region. We are reaching out to the NCRP to invite and encourage you and your members to participate in opportunities to share with us your experiences and priorities related to inequities in access to clean and safe water and comments on the draft Resolution when it is available.

 

The Regional Water Board will hold four engagement events to seek input on the draft Resolution from communities of interest and tribes prior to proposing the draft Resolution to our Board for adoption in February 2023. These engagement events include:

 

1.      A hybrid (in person and virtual) Board workshop on the evening of October 5 or 6, 2022;

2.      Two in-person listening sessions during the week of October 17-21, 2022; and

3.      One virtual, region-wide listening session during the week of October 24-28, 2022.

 

The purpose of the engagement events is to:

 

1.      Inform communities of interest, tribes, and the public about the Regional Water Board’s racial equity initiative, the draft resolution and its review period, and future Action Plan; 

2.      Create a space for Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other people of color to share their input, experiences, perspectives, and wisdom related to racial inequities and environmental injustices in the North Coast Region; and 

3.      Invite comments and conversation from Black, Indigenous, Latinx, Asian, and other people of color communities, tribes, and other members of the public related to the draft resolution, future action plan, and racial equity at large. 

 

We encourage you and your members to attend the board workshop and/or listening sessions, but also invite you to engage in informal discussions with us in advance of and/or instead of participation in these events. We are happy to provide more details about the work we do, discuss how our work may or could intersect with the work NCRP does, discuss the contents of the draft resolution, and/or any other topics you wish to discuss.

 

After the Resolution is adopted, Regional Water Board staff will develop an Action Plan that will contain specific actions the Regional Water Board and its staff will take to implement the Resolution and advance racial equity. This initial invitation to informally discuss the Racial Equity Resolution is intended to mark the beginning of an ongoing discussion and relationship to inform the direction of our efforts, for not only the Resolution, but the future Action Plan as well.

 

Thank you for your time and we look forward to your input, should you choose to engage. For updates on the dates and locations of the listening sessions and other project-related information, please subscribe to the Racial Equity email list here: https://waterboards.ca.gov/resources/email_subscriptions/reg1_subscribe.html. Please don’t hesitate to contact me by email at [log in to unmask] or [log in to unmask] or by telephone at 707-576-2682, if you would like to set up a meeting to discuss further.

 

Thank you and have a great day.

 

~Kason

 

10. Save the Date: Tribal Exchange Network Conference, Oct 18-20, Flagstaff AZ and online

More information coming soon: www.tribalexchangenetwork.org

No registration fee! Join us online or in person!

The 2022 Tribal Exchange Network Conference (October 18-20) aims to expand tribal capacity for environmental data sharing, management, and analysis through informational, interactive sessions that offer:

o Networking opportunities and connections with other professionals

o A showcase of Exchange Network projects and technology tools

o Workshops, demonstrations, and mentoring for tribal professionals

o Discussions on resources, funding opportunities, and technical support

Connections outline

The Tribal EN Conference is now accepting proposals and requests for Presentations and Sponsors/Exhibitors! Sign up now to provide valuable information and connect with attendees.

Caret Down with solid fill

Submit a Session Proposal: https://bit.ly/3zGBVpS

Submit a Sponsorship Request: https://bit.ly/3oA6DuD

This event is designed for tribal staff and program managers working with environmental data, particularly those seeking to leverage technology solutions to streamline their work and enhance their data management capacity. Others who may benefit from attending include state and federal partners, collaborators, and other stakeholders working to support tribal sovereignty to address environmental concerns.



Presented by:

ITEP, TXG, EPA

The Tribal Exchange Network Conference is hosted by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) and the Tribal Exchange Network Group (TXG) and made possible by funding from the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA).


11. Save the Date- Conference: 13th National Monitoring Conference- April 24-28th 2023

Save the Date!


The National Water Quality Monitoring Council will host its 13th National Monitoring Conference during the week of April 24–28, 2023, at either Hartford, Connecticut or Virginia Beach, Virginia, final location will be released at a future date. All federal, state, tribal and local water professionals, nonprofits, academia, water consultants and industry, and volunteer scientists are welcome at this important national forum.  The conference will be offered in a hybrid format primarily in person, including a limited virtual format.

Networking and opportunities to create new relationships will abound for attendees. Whether you seek to develop new skills, learn about the latest technologies, or simply exchange information on a wide variety of topics relevant to water resources, the National Monitoring Conference is for you. Monitoring for water quality/quantity and public and ecological health in all water resources will be represented, including lakes and wetlands, rivers and streams, coastal waters and estuaries, and groundwater. The conference attracts the highest quality professional papers and posters and is a destination conference for many in the field.

Please look for the Call for Session Proposals and Call for Abstracts in Spring and Summer of 2022.

For more information, please hit the read more button to be redirected to their website.

12. Save the Date- Tribal Water Summit Planning- April 11- 13th 2023

READ MORE:
https://www.nalms.org/2023nmc/

13. Join the CIEA Team- The California Indian Environmental Alliance in currently hiring for an Executive Assistant- Job posting open until the position is filled. Please spread the word. 

Assistant to the Executive Director

The California Indian Environmental Alliance (CIEA) is a well-established, small-sized nonprofit that maintains relationships with a multitude of California Native Tribes, Tribal organizations, non-governmental organizations and agencies across the state.

Our mission is "to protect and restore California Indian Peoples' cultural traditions, ancestral territories, means of subsistence, and environmental health." CIEA operates swiftly. Our Tribal partners expect the finest support and representation, and we work hard to exceed their expectations. We are looking for you to join us in supporting Tribal self-advocacy and environmental resiliency.

CIEA is seeking an Executive Assistant with experience and a background in environmental justice. Because our organization works with Tribes in California, those with experience working within Native American communities are preferred. You will be responsible for organizing the
day-to-day activities of our organization while assisting in operational functions in support of the Executive Director (ED). You will assist, oversee, and maintain records for project reporting and deadlines for all of CIEA staff program coordinators. We are looking for someone with 5–10 years of experience who will bring innovation and ideas to enhance our operations and swiftly adapt to a dynamic environment. California Tribal members and/or other Tribal people are highly encouraged to apply. Open until filled. We look forward to meeting you!

Qualifications:
 A bachelor's degree in environmental sciences, political science, Native American Studies, social work, or a related field(s), or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience, is preferred.
 2-5 years of experience in grant writing and/or grant management
 Preferred candidates will have 3+ years of executive, personal assistant, or program experience.
 Preferred candidates will have 2+ years of clerical/administrative experience, staff oversight and/or Human Resources experience.
 Required knowledge, skills, and abilities include:
 self-motivated, proactive, diplomatic, tactful, confident personality with the ability to be persistent when necessary.
 Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, Outlook, Google Drive, QuickBooks, Abode, and Zoom; Experience with HRIS and applicant tracking systems is strongly preferred.
 must be extremely detail-oriented.
 must operate well in a team environment, maintain a positive attitude, and be willing to work with all team members.
 be able to perform job duties with little supervision.
 ability to maintain a flexible working attitude while performing job duties under stressful conditions or dealing with complex communications
 An excellent understanding of English, both written and verbal, is required.
 excellent written and verbal communication skills.
 ability to maintain confidential or sensitive information.
 flexibility in scheduling, which may include working a limited number of nights and weekends
 You must be a creative, high-energy, hands-on professional who can successfully multitask in a fast-paced environment and maintain excellent organizational skills.
Duties and Responsibilities:
 Calendar management entails scheduling meetings, calls, and travel on a daily, monthly, and quarterly basis to align with both business and personal schedules.
 Communicating with staff and assisting with project management
 Managing and completing correspondence in coordination with the Executive Director
 Reviewing contract agreements and staff reports
 supports the HR team with additional duties and projects as needed.
 Assists with receptionist duties and special projects as needed.
 Support staff with project management needs.
 Answer, screen, route, and initiate telephone calls and use appropriate telephone etiquette.
 Prepare reports and/or special projects, which may include data collection from fellow employees, coordination, final copy preparation, distribution, etc.
 responsible for filing active and inactive employee documents and files.
 Support the ED in responding to phone messages in a courteous and professional
manner within 24 hours of receiving the call.
 Become familiar with all CIEA daily functions in order to build them into project reports effectively and accurately.
 Effectively coordinate a consistent, integrated, and comprehensive system of communications.
 Other duties as assigned

Job Type: Full-time
Experience:
 Executive Assistant: 3+ years (Preferred)
 Human Resources: 2 years (Preferred)
 Program Management: 3+ years (Preferred)

 Salary: $28-$33 per hour, DEPENDENT ON EXPERIENCE.
 Additional Compensation: Reimbursement for travel, hotel, and food based on state
scale as necessary.
 Location: The primary work location is in El Cerrito, CA, with the possibility of some
remote work days each month.
 Benefits: ARE NEGOTIABLE
 Schedule: day shift, Monday through Friday, and some weekends (8-hour average
shifts, 36 to 40 hours per week)
This Job Is:
 This is a good fit for applicants of all ages, including older job seekers and people with
disabilities, who are encouraged to apply. The position is open to applicants who do not
have a college diploma.
 The job is open to applicants with gaps in their resume or who have been out of the
workforce for the past 6 months.
 Opportunity for growth and advancement

To apply, please submit a cover letter, resume/CV, and a list of professional references (minimum of 3) to [log in to unmask]

14. Feature Opportunity- CIEA Environmental Chronicles Newsletter

First, thank you for reading our newsletter. We greatly appreciate your subscription to updates as they become available. Second, CIEA invites you to please share anything related to environmental issues such as artworks, writings, photos, words/sayings/phrases in your language, quotes that we can use within our newsletters to help close the message. Third, if you would to submit anything, please do not hesitate to contact Joel, our Communications Coordinator at [log in to unmask]


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