Tribal Climate & Health Adaptation Summit

Tribes across the U.S. are very attuned to the cascading and interconnected impacts of climate change on their lands and health, from changing water patterns to more intense and frequent wildfires. The first step in protecting Tribal health and wellbeing from the impacts of climate change is often to conduct a vulnerability assessment to identify the community’s biggest risks and concerns. However, this step can be a big obstacle for under-resourced communities, particularly given the time-consuming nature of fact-finding and community engagement. Those who have assessed their vulnerability may not have had the resources to look deeper into vulnerabilities associated with health and wellbeing. 

This two-day, in-person training—hosted by the Pala Band of Mission Indians in Pala, CA—will help arm up to 50 Tribal-serving professionals* with the knowledge and skills needed to get to the heart of the unique climate and health vulnerabilities of the Tribes they serve, while also offering space for participants to attend to their own hearts through personal reflection and peer connection. The interactive training format will feature expert speakers, facilitated discussions, and hands-on learning activities to help deepen understanding of the effects of climate change on Tribal health and wellbeing. The summit will help practitioners ready their hearts and minds to develop well-informed vulnerability assessments that best reflect their community’s concerns, culture, and aspirations and lead to the most meaningful adaptation decisions.    

Theme: Getting to the heart of climate variability

Objectives:

• Learn the steps of conducting vulnerability assessments that include a focus on health and wellbeing 
• Build knowledge of best practices, options, and examples related to gathering and weaving together data, traditional knowledge, and community perspectives, managing interdepartmental coordination, and reporting findings 
• Deepen their understanding of the linkages between health and climate change, including emerging research topics 
• Participate in peer discussions to exchange knowledge and experiences
• Engage in guided sessions that promote personal connection and reflections 

Location: Pala Casino Spa & Resort, Pala, CA

Agenda: View the Agenda (PDF)

Application Deadline: Space is available to up to 50 Tribal-serving professionals* from across the U.S. at no cost. Submit an application here. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until June 30. 

For more information, pleas contact ped@palatribe.com.

*Those offering products, consulting, or other for-profit services are not considered to be Tribal-serving professionals for the purposes of this summit.