Summary
The Chilkoot community faces urgent climate challenges, including coastal erosion, permafrost thaw, and the threat of displacement. Rooted in our rich cultural traditions and deep connection to the land and waters, our resilience depends on integrating traditional knowledge with adaptive planning. Our goal is to safeguard our cultural heritage, ensure community safety, and explore sustainable relocation options if necessary, honoring our ancestors and future generations.
Key Challenges
Climate
Rising sea levels and increased storm activity threaten shoreline stability; permafrost thaw impacts infrastructure and traditional pathways; unpredictable weather affects subsistence activities.
Social
Potential displacement causes cultural loss; limited funding and technical resources; maintaining community cohesion amid change.
Tailored Solutions
Infrastructure
- Construct culturally appropriate sea defenses using traditional materials and Indigenous engineering methods.
- Implement permafrost stabilization techniques incorporating traditional knowledge of landscape management.
Community Engagement
- Develop participatory planning sessions grounded in cultural practices and storytelling.
- Create community-led monitoring systems using traditional ecological knowledge.
Relocation Planning
- Identify and evaluate culturally suitable sites for potential relocation, respecting traditional land boundaries.
- Design relocation processes that prioritize community consensus and cultural integrity.
Cultural Continuity Prompts
Preservation Goals
- Maintain sacred sites and burial grounds through protective measures.
- Integrate traditional practices and language into adaptation and relocation plans.
- Ensure community voices and elders lead decision-making processes.
Traditional Knowledge
Utilize ancestral land management techniques, such as shoreline stewardship and seasonal movement patterns, to inform climate resilience strategies.
Recommended Partners
- Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium
Supports health and resilience initiatives aligned with Indigenous values.
- U.S. Geological Survey - Alaska Climate Adaptation
Provides scientific data critical for informed planning, respecting traditional knowledge integration.
- Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation
Offers resources for coastal protection and environmental management.
- The Nature Conservancy - Alaska Program
Supports ecosystem-based approaches that align with Indigenous land stewardship.
https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/where-we-work/united-states/alaska/
- Anchorage Museum - Indigenous Cultures Program
Provides cultural preservation and education resources vital for community resilience.
- Native American Fish and Wildlife Society
Supports subsistence and habitat conservation efforts.
Funding Sources
- Bureau of Indian Affairs - Tribal Climate Resilience Program
Dedicated to supporting Indigenous-led climate adaptation projects.
- National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - Tribal Wildlife Grants
Funds projects that protect ecosystems and cultural resources.
- Environmental Protection Agency - Climate Pollution Reduction Grants
Supports community-based climate mitigation and adaptation.
- Alaska State Legislature - Climate Change Initiatives
State-level funding for local resilience projects.
- The Kresge Foundation
Supports community-led climate and resilience projects with a focus on Indigenous communities.
- Private Foundations supporting Indigenous sovereignty and climate resilience
Flexible funding aligned with community priorities.
Legal Avenues
- Establishing Tribal Ordinances for land use and shoreline protection.
- Securing federal recognition and land rights to facilitate relocation and resource management.
- Engaging in consultations with federal agencies for climate adaptation funding and support.
- Utilizing existing treaties and land agreements to assert rights and protections.
- Advocating for inclusion of Indigenous perspectives in climate legislation.
Implementation Roadmap
Short Term
- Conduct community workshops integrating traditional knowledge and scientific data.
- Secure initial funding and establish partnerships.
- Map culturally significant sites and assess immediate risks.
Mid Term
- Develop detailed adaptation and relocation plans with community input.
- Begin infrastructure projects for shoreline stabilization.
- Implement traditional ecological monitoring programs.
Long Term
- Complete relocation if necessary, with community-led site development.
- Establish ongoing maintenance and cultural preservation initiatives.
- Monitor climate impacts and adapt strategies as needed.
Education Strategy
Goals
- Strengthen awareness of climate impacts through storytelling and cultural education.
- Build capacity within the community for climate resilience planning.
- Incorporate traditional ecological knowledge into school curricula.
Tools
- Cultural storytelling events and workshops.
- Interactive mapping and monitoring tools co-developed with elders.
- Partnerships with local schools and cultural centers.
Food Security Strategy
Goals
- Protect and restore subsistence resources and habitats.
- Promote traditional food harvesting and preservation methods.
- Develop community gardens and local food initiatives.
Partners
- Alaska Department of Fish and Game
Supports subsistence management and habitat protection.
Legal Strategy
Actions
- Work with tribal legal counsel to secure land rights and protections.
- Advocate for legal recognition of traditional land boundaries.
- Develop agreements with federal and state agencies for climate adaptation support.
Precedents
- Treaty rights upheld in recent land claims decisions.
- Federal recognition of tribal sovereignty in environmental management.
Preliminary Relocation Context
- Haines Village Site
Advantages: Proximity to current community, maintaining cultural ties. Existing infrastructure and access routes. Familiar landscape with traditional significance.
Challenges: Potential exposure to climate risks if not properly adapted. Limited space for expansion. Environmental assessments needed.
- Lynn Canal Coastal Area
Advantages: Access to traditional fishing and subsistence areas. Potential for sustainable development with cultural guidance.
Challenges: Environmental sensitivity of coastal habitats. Need for extensive infrastructure development.
- Chilkat River Valley
Advantages: Rich cultural and subsistence resources. Potential for integrating traditional land use practices.
Challenges: Flooding and erosion risks. Limited existing infrastructure.