Climate Action: Tribal Approaches

Below is a comprehensive list of formal climate assessment and adaption plans and strategies developed by individual tribal nations and inter-tribal organizations. For the latest news about tribal climate action efforts, please see the "News Coverage" section in Other Resources.

If you don't see your tribal nation's climate action efforts featured below and want it added to the list, please email climate @ncai.org.

Tribal Nation	State & Region	Plan/Strategy	Summary (Date)
Atqasuk	AK Alaska	Climate Change in Atqasuk, Alaska: Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Atqasuk, Alaska, a traditional Inupiat community located on the west bank of the Meade River, 60 miles south of Barrow. (2014)
Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians	WI Midwest	Seventh Generation Climate Change Monitoring Plan	This plan was developed to detect potential climate change impacts to the ecosystems and natural resources found on the Bad River Indian Reservation. (June 2016)
Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, and Grand Portage Reservations	MN Midwest	Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan	Investigates how changing climate conditions already are and could continue to affect the landscape and species within the 1854 Ceded Territory and the respective reservations. It also identifies climate-related vulnerabilities and actions that could be taken to create more climate resilient systems. (2016)
Blackfeet Nation	MT Central	Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan	Adaptation plan of Blackfeet Nation to protect communities, diverse ecosystems from impacts of a rapidly changing climate. (April 2018)
Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes	MT Central	Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes - Climate Change Strategic Plan - Link to Downloadable PDF	Plan includes climate change impacts, vulnerabilities and risks and adaptation strategies for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes in northwest Montana. (April 2013, updated April 2016)
Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians	OR Northwest	Tribal Environmental Plan	This Tribal Environmental Plan was developed by the Environmental Protection Division within the tribe's Natural Resources department. (May 2015)
Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation	OR Northwest	Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment	Assess the climate related vulnerability of key resources and assets that are important to tribal life. (September 2015)
Fond Du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa	MN Midwest	Integrated Resource Management Plan	This Integrated Resource Management Plan contains information about the Band’s past and current management activities and identifies resources that need additional management. (2008)
Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission and 11 member Ojibwe tribes	MN, WI, MI Midwest	Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment	This vulnerability assessment, TEK interviews were used to identify beings/species of concern and to provide evidence of how these beings/species have been or may be affected by climate change. (April 2018)
Inter-Tribal Council of Michigan and Nine federally recognized tribes in Michigan	MI Midwest	Michigan Tribal Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Planning: Project Report	Assessment to evaluate and plan for climate change with adaptation strategies that mitigate degradation or losses in Tribal resources. (December 2016)
Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe	WA Northwest	Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe-Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Adaptation Plan	Assessment and plan for the Jamestown S'Klallam Tribe in Washington includes information about the changing climate conditions, priority resources of concern, and actions to increase resilience. (2013)
Karuk Tribe	CA Northwest	Eco-Cultural Resources Management Plan	An integrated approach to adaptive problem solving, in the interest of managing the restoration of balanced ecological processes utilizing Traditional Ecological Knowledge supported by Western Science. (September 2009)
Karuk Tribe	CA Northwest	The Karuk's Innate Relationship with Fire: Adapting to Climate Change on the Klamath Karuk Final Climate Adaptation Plan	Profile Featured on U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit Members of the Karuk Tribe in northern California maintain that the age-old tradition of prescribed burning holds the answer to climate adaptation planning in the Klamath River range. (2018) The Karuk Tribe's 'Final' Climate Adaptation Plan, released in July 2019, comes after years of research and calls for prescribed burns of the Karuk's territorial landscape.
Kiana	AK Alaska	Climate Change in Kiana, Alaska Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Kiana, Alaska. Kiana is an Inupiat community of approximately 361 residents, located on the Kobuk River, about 60 miles east of Kotzebue. (2011)
Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma	OK Southern Plains	Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma	This Vulnerability Assessment documents climate change effects on the Kickapoo's agriculture, wildlife, water resources, air quality, cultural resources, and human health. (2012)
Kivalina	AK Alaska	Climate Change in Kivalina, Alaska: Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Kivalina, Alaska. Kivalina is an Inupiat community of approximately 400 residents, located on a small barrier island in Northwestern Alaska. Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium. (2011)
Kwethluk	AK Alaska	City of Kwethluk, Alaska: Local Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan	Plan for these natural hazards: flooding, erosion, severe weather, and earthquake. Includes information to assist the city government and residents with planning to avoid potential future disaster losses. (2009)
Levelock	AK Alaska	Climate Change in Levelock, Alaska: Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Levelock, Alaska. As of 2012, there were about 88 residents, mostly Alaska Native people of Alutiiq and Yupik descent. Levelock is situated about 40 miles north from Naknek, 60 miles east of Dillingham and 278 miles southwest of Anchorage. (2014)
Lummi Nation	WA Northwest	Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Plan: 2016-2026	Purpose of this plan is to evaluate the potential impacts of anthropogenic climate change on the Lummi Indian Reservation, Lummi Usual and Accustomed Grounds and Stations, and Lummi Traditional Territories and to present both mitigation strategies that may reduce the causes of climate change and adaptation strategies that may minimize climate change impacts that cannot be avoided. (February 2016)
Makah Tribe	WA Northwest	Makah Tribe's Climate Resilience, Adaptation, and Mitigation Planning 2 018 Presentation	This document describes previous climate planning efforts of the Makah tribe and how community engagement has helped steer future plans in an attempt to be resilient to, adapt to, and mitigate the impacts of climate change. (2017) The 2018 Presentation provides an update on research conducted by the Makah Tribe throughout 2018, including preliminary data on the Tribe's carbon footprint and mitigation efforts. (December 2018) The Tribe's Final Climate Adaptation Plan is scheduled to be released in September 2019.
MATCH-E-BE-NASH-SHE-WISH - Gun Lake Tribe Band of Pottawatomi Indians	MI Midwest	Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians Climage Change Adaptation Plan	Adaptation plan for the Match-e-be-nash-she-wish Band of Pottawatomi Indians in southwest Michigan. (October 2015)
Menominee	WI Midwest	Final Synthesis Report	The Resilience Dialogues partners with communities to explore their risks from climate variability and change. Using a professionally facilitated, online process to connect community leaders to a network of vetted national experts, the Resilience Dialogues helps them work together to understand risks and lay the groundwork for long-term resilience.(July 2017)
Metlakatla Indian Community	AK Alaska	Climate Change Adaptation Plan	This document describes all of our resources, including those that are used for traditional practices and the commercial industries. There are strategies to the adaptations, we as a tribe will have to make in the next ten years while this document is in effect.(July 2017)
Native Village of Georgetown	AK Alaska	Climate Science Primer - Projections for the Middle Kuskokwim Region	This document discusses historic and projected future trends for temperature, precipitation, permafrost, vegetation, wildfire, hydrology, invasive species, and several subsistence resources in the Middle Kuskokwim region. (June 2017)
Native Village of Georgetown	AK Alaska	Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment	This climate change vulnerability assessment documents climate change impacts and trends that have been observed along the Kuskokwim River. It was commissioned by the Georgetown Tribal Council to help inform their efforts to re-settle the Native Village of Georgetown, and to provide a starting place for working with neighboring communities to plan for climate change. (2017)
Navajo Nation	AZ Southwest	Considerations for Climate Change and Variability Adaptation on the Navajo Nation Climate Adaptation Plan for the Navajo Nation	Report provides the Navajo Nation and its communities with information that will be useful for the Nation as it engages in adaptation planning in response to climate change and variability. University of Colorado Boulder. (2014) Adaptation Plan prepared for the Navajo Nation, focusing on water resources, air quality, agricultural management, and community health.
Navajo Nation	AZ Southwest	Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment for Priority Wildlife Species	Vulnerability assessment for priority wildlife and plant species and habitats on the Navajo landscape. Golden Eagle, Mule Deer, Desert Bighorn Sheep, Mountain Lion, and American Black Bear. Pinyon Pine, Yucca spp., Mesa Verde Cactus, Navajo Sage, and Salt Cedar (Tamarisk). Navajo Nation Dept. of Fish and Wildlife and H. John Heinz III Center for Science, Economics and the Environment. (2013)
Newtok	AK Alaska	Relocation Report: Newtok to Mertarvik	Strategic Management Plan for the relocation of the village of Newtok to a new site at Mertarvik. Newtok is a growing 350-person coastal village fronting on the Ninglick River in western Alaska. The Ninglick River is rapidly eroding and consuming community land and facilities as it advances. (2011)
Nez Perce Tribe	ID Northwest	Clearwater River Subbasin(ID) Climate Change Adaptation Plan	Adaptation plan developed by the Nez Perce Tribe in Idaho, focused on water and forest resources. (2011)
Noatak	AK Alaska	Climate Change in Noatak, Alaska: Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Noatak, Alaska. Noatak is an Inupiat community of approximately 500 residents, located on the west bank of the Noatak River, about 55 miles north of Kotzebue. (2011)
Nome	AK Alaska	Nome Tribal Climate Adaptation Plan	The project goals were to familiarize tribal members with climate science and local knowledge, provide an opportunity to identify and discuss climate impacts and adaptation strategies, develop a plan, and share information with other rural Alaska and Native communities. (September 2017)
Nondalton	Alaska Alaska	Climate Change in Nondalton, Alaska: Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Nondalton, Alaska. Nondalton is mostly Alaska Native People of Dena'ina decent, averaging about 169 residents. Nondalton is located on the west shore of Six Mile Lake, between Lake Clark and Iliamna Lake. (2013)
Nooksack Indian Tribe	WA Northwest	EPA Region 10 Climate Change and TMDL Pilot -- Qualitative Assessment: Evaluating the Impacts of Climate Change on Endangered Species Act Recovery Actions for the South Fork Nooksack River, WA	Comprehensive analysis of climate change impacts on freshwater habitat and Pacific salmon in the South Fork Nooksack River. (2013)
Nooksack Indian Tribe	WA Northwest	Nooksack River Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment, River Restoration Planning, and Adaptation Plan	This project will look at how climate change has altered hydrologic systems, Pacific salmon habitat, and survival of salmon in the Nooksack River watershed. It will develop an adaptation plan that can be adopted and integrated into management plans. (2015)
North Olympic Peninsula	WA Northwest	Climate Change Preparedness Plan	The outputs of this effort are compiled in this Preparedness Plan and include a regional Vulnerability Assessment (Section I & II) and Adaptation Plan (Section II). (August 2015)
Norton Bay Watershed	AK Alaska	Climate Adaptation and Action Plan for the Norton Bay Watershed, Alaska	Adaption plan for the Norton Bay Watershed is the result of a year of community team effort, bringing in an array of stakeholders and expertise, building partnerships, extensive information gathering, critical thinking, and engaged planning. (2013)
Nuiqsut	AK Alaska	Climate Change in Nuiqsut, Alaska: Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Nuiqsut, Alaska a traditional Inupiat community located on the West bank of the Colville River, 18 miles south from the inlet to the Beaufort Sea. (2014)
Oyate Omniciye' Oglala Lakota	SD Midwest	The Official Regional Sustainable Development Plan of the Oglala Sioux Tribe	Sustainable development plan for the Lakota with assistance from EPA-HUD-DOT Partnership for Sustainable Communities. (2012)
Pilot Point	AK Alaska	Climate Change in Pilot Point, Alaska: Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Pilot Point, Alaska. Pilot Point is mostly Alaska Native People of Alutiiq and Yup'ik Eskimo decent, averaging about 64 to 100 residents. Pilot Point is located on the Northern coast of the Alaska Peninsula, on the east shore of Ugashik Bay. (2013)
Point Hope	AK Alaska	Climate Change in Point Hope, Alaska: Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Point Hope, Alaska. Point Hope is an Inupiat community of approximately 700 residents, located in Northwestern Alaska on the Chukchi Sea. (2010)
Puyallup Tribe of Indians	WA Northwest	Climate Change Impact Assessment and Adaptation Options	This assessment aimed to help Tribal staff and members better understand and prepare to proactively manage climate risks to ensure that Tribal customs and the Tribal community can thrive for many generations to come, despite a changing climate. (2016)
Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians	MN Midwest	Mitigwaki idash Nibi: (Our Forests and Water) A Climate Adaptation Plan for the Red Lake Band of Chippewa Indians	The Model Forest Policy Program (MFPP), Climate Solutions University (CSU), and the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources (RLDNR) came together to create a climate adaptation plan for the forest and water systems of the Red Lake Indian Reservation in Minnesota. (2014)
Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe	NY Northeast	Climate Change Adaptation Plan for Akwesasne	Adaptation plan for the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe in New York. Structured around the Haudenosaunee Thanksgiving Address. (2013)
Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe	WA Northwest	Flood and Erosion Hazard Assessment for the Sauk-Suiattle Indian Tribe Phase 1 Report for the Sauk River Climate Impacts Study	Part of first phase of an interdisciplinary effort designed to contribute critical understanding of Sauk River ecosystem dynamics and sensitivity to climatic changes. (June 2014)
Selawik	AK Alaska	Climate Change in Selawik, Alaska: Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Selawik, Alaska. Selawik is an Inupiat community of approximately 829 residents, located on the Selawik River, about four miles north of the Arctic Circle and 70 miles east of Kotzebue. (2014)
Shaktoolik	AK Alaska	Shaktoolik, Alaska: Climate Change Adaptation for an At-Risk Community	Adaptation plan outlines next steps for the community of Shaktoolik, AK, as it responds to threats, primarily erosion and flooding. (2014)
Shinnecock Indian Nation	NY Northeast	Shinnecock Indian Nation Climate Change Adaptation Plan	Adaptation Plan for the Shinnecock Indian Nation in New York. (2013)
Stillaguamish Tribe	WA Northwest	Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment	This report describes an assessment of the climate change vulnerability of priority species and habitats for the Stillaguamish Tribe of Indians. (February 2016)
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community	WA Northwest	Swinomish Climate Change Initiative: Impact Assessment Technical Report	Impact and vulnerability assessment for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in northwest Washington. (October 2009)
Swinomish Indian Tribal Community	WA Northwest	Swinomish Climate Change Initiative: Climate Adaptation Action Plan	Adaptation plan for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community in northwest Washington. (October 2010)
Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes	AK Alaska	Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska Climate Change Adaptation Plan	This 53 page report represents the climate change adaptation plan of the Central Council of Tlingit & Haida Indian Tribes of Alaska. It is a roadmap for prioritizing, monitoring and responding to threats stemming from global climate change. (May 2019)
Upper Snake River Tribes Foundation	ID, NV, OR Northwest	Upper Snake River Tribes Foundation Climate Change Vulnerability Assessment	Vulnerability Assessment completed through a collaborative process with four USRT tribes. It includes additional climate summary sheets on several species e.g. mule deer, spotted frog, chokecherry, chinook salmon, etc. (February 2017)
Wainwright	AK Alaska	Climate Change in Wainwright, Alaska: Strategies for Community Health	Assessment of climate change related health effects in Wainwright a traditional Inupiat community located on the Chukchi Sea coast. (2014)
Yakama Nation	WA Northwest	Climate Adaptation Plan for the Territories of the Yakama Nation	Adaptation plan for the Yakama Nation in Washington that inventories important resources that are vulnerable to climate change and provides specific recommendations for future analysis and near-term adaptation actions. (April 2016)