Celebrating Native American Heritage Month

Cover photo: baskets woven from California-native Tule Rush by the Yurok Tribe

November is an important time to recognize and honor the cultures, contributions, and histories of Indigenous peoples across the United States. Native American Heritage Month invites reflection on the deep relationships between Indigenous communities and the land they have stewarded for thousands of years.

This connection to the land, anchored in respect, offers valuable lessons in an era where the effects of environmental degradation and climate change are increasingly catastrophic. Understanding and integrating Native American perspectives on land stewardship can guide contemporary approaches to sustainable redevelopment, helping to guide how we view land, resources, and community.

White Mountain Apache Tribe used EPA assessment and cleanup grants to help restore abandoned cabins, creating a new revenue source for the Tribe.

Last month, CCLR had the opportunity to participate in the 32nd annual EPA R9 Tribal Conference. The conference theme was “Respect the Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK)” In support of this theme, Tribal representatives from across the region shared experiences, programs, and successes in efforts to protect and restore the environment.

TEK can extend back more than 12 generations and differs from tribe to tribe. Honoring this knowledge is imperative to tribal sovereignty. The opportunity to learn from so many diverse tribal representatives was inspiring. It was also inspiring to watch EPA and State Agency staff listen to feedback and concerns as the agencies strive to increase tribal access, stewardship and ownership of ancestral lands.

Too often, Indigenous history and Tribal issues are misrepresented or missing from mainstream narratives. By acknowledging the resilience of Indigenous people and the wisdom embedded in TEK, we can gain valuable insights into sustainable ways of managing forests and land in ways that can benefit all.

Susanville Indian Rancheria (SIR) has completed remediation on a brownfields property in Susanville, CA. SIR received a $500,000 cleanup grant (BIL) in 2023 (but have had other cleanup grants in the past). The remainder of grant funds are being used for reuse planning. SIR hopes to create an interpretive trail through the wetlands on the site and is considering how to incorporate other cultural assets into the redevelopment.

Land stewardship lies at the core of Indigenous philosophies and practices; opposed to the Western view of emphasizing property ownership, the Native American perspective traditionally views land as sacred and communal. The earth is not a resource to be used, but rather a relationship that is owed respect, care, and a long-term perspective. As modern societies look toward sustainable solutions, there is a growing acknowledgment that Indigenous land management practices have been sustainable for centuries, long before the term “sustainability” became popular.

Challenges Faced by Native Communities in Land Stewardship

Native American communities face many legal, political, and economic obstacles in managing and preserving their lands. Many sacred lands are now controlled by federal or state governments, private corporations, or development entities complicating efforts to maintain traditional land stewardship practices. Appropriated land may also be left in disrepair or polluted by industry.

While there is no magic cure to alleviate these challenges, Brownfield programs and grants can be a significant resource in assisting the Tribal Land Back movement and overall management of Tribal lands. CCLR consultant, Sebastian Harrison, presented with Brooklyn James and Lisa Hanusiak of the EPA R9 Office of Brownfields about EPA brownfield grants, 128a programs, and opportunities for tribes to restore and reclaim polluted lands.

Brownfield technical assistance, and technical assistance providers such as CCLR are here to support Tribes through land transactions and reuse complexities. Please see our poster on Land Back & Clean-up: Brownfield Grants Empowering Tribal Communities here.

Sustainable Redevelopment: Learning from Indigenous Wisdom

Sustainable redevelopment seeks to rehabilitate degraded lands, often former industrial or urban sites, to support ecologically sound growth and community well-being (Learn more about Ecosystem Centered Clean-up at our webinar on December 11th).

By integrating Indigenous perspectives into these projects, developers and policymakers can create spaces that honor both the environment and community needs. Looking to the future, there is an increasing need for approaches to redevelopment that regenerate landscapes and associated communities. Native American Heritage Month reminds us of the resilience and wisdom of Indigenous communities and challenges us to protect, restore, and respect the land for the benefit of all.

From Nature to Nurture: Ecosystem Strategies for Effective Site Clean-Up