Incorporating Indigenous voices in regional climate change adaptation: opportunities and challenges in the U.S. Pacific Northwest

Abstract

As the impacts of climate change increasingly and disproportionately affect indigenous peoples, equitable approaches to regional climate change adaptation must center the voices, needs, and priorities of Indigenous communities. Although the tribal climate change principles identify actionable recommendations to address the unique needs of Indigenous peoples in the contexts of climate change adaptation efforts undertaken at the Federal level in the United States (U.S.), there has yet to be exploration of how such principles might be applied at the regional level. Through semi-structured qualitative interviews with 18 representatives from inter-Tribal organizations and non-Tribal organizations engaged in regional climate adaptation in the U.S. Pacific Northwest, this research sought to describe challenges faced by, and opportunities available to, non-Tribal entities when engaging with Tribes on regional climate adaptation initiatives. All respondents reported high levels of motivation to work with Tribes on climate adaptation and identified several perceived benefits of integrating Tribal partnerships and indigenous ways of knowing into regional climate adaptation initiatives. Respondents underscored the need for strong, trusted relationships that respect the sovereignty and priorities of Tribal nations to guide engagement. However, non-Tribal organizations’ own capacity constraints, perceived Tribal capacity constraints, and institutional cultures rooted in colonialism and structural racism were discussed as obstacles to meaningful engagement. As such, we identify an urgent need to prioritize sustained investments in both Tribal and non-Tribal actors’ partnership capacities and climate change adaptation capabilities to place Indigenous voices and needs at the forefront of regional climate change adaptation planning and implementation.

Indigenous, ethnic, and racial diversity and climate justice: New Zealand’s climate adaptation policies and policy approaches

“…However, these efforts are often hindered by the historical legacies of colonialism and structural racism (Came and McCreanor 2015). Addressing these barriers requires sustained investments and building partnership capacities and climate change adaptation strategies that prioritise indigenous voices and needs (Dent et al 2023).…”

Cap. 16. Tribus y pueblos indígenas. En: La Quinta Evaluación Nacional del Clima

“…Los centros urbanos indígenas proporcionan a grandes poblaciones indígenas de ciudades de todo Estados Unidos-desde Nueva York hasta Los Ángeles, Boston, Chicago, Phoenix, etc.-los servicios sociales vitales necesarios para que las poblaciones urbanas sean resilientes en un clima cambiante (KM 12.4) 171 . Las organizaciones y redes intertribales sirven como recursos para mejorar la planificación de las tribus en materia de cambio climático 172,173 . Por ejemplo, el Consejo Intertribal de la Madera, la Comisión Intertribal de Pesca del río Columbia y la Comisión Indígena de Pesca y Vida Silvestre de los Grandes Lagos lideran investigaciones innovadoras sobre adaptación al clima en sus regiones e inspiran colaboraciones científicas interculturales con investigadores, científicos y organizaciones no indígenas 144,174,175,176,177 .…”