Tribes in the Pacific Northwest Tackling Climate Change

Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences, Civics, Geography

Provided by Our Living Lands

What it is

This 5-minute podcast features an interview with a journalist who covers Indigenous communities, discussing how tribes across the region are responding to climate change.
Listeners hear examples including shifting seasons for gathering first foods; energy sovereignty through solar, wind, microgrids, and electric vehicles; and dam removal.
The conversation also covers cooperation and friction between tribal, state, and federal governments; the pairing of Indigenous knowledge and Western science; and the leadership of young Indigenous advocates.

Classroom Implementation:

To help students understand concepts mentioned (e.g., first foods, dams, traditional ecological knowledge) provide a few visual and textual references and pause as needed.
After listening, have students map the different climate responses described, from energy sovereignty to dam removal, and categorize each as mitigation, adaptation, or restoration.
Use the discussion of first foods and shifting gathering seasons to connect climate change to phenology and to the cultural dimensions of environmental change.

Extensions:

The segment on dam removal and river policy is a strong entry point for examining how tribal, state, and federal governments cooperate or conflict over environmental decisions; students could research one river system mentioned and trace the stakeholders involved.
Have students explore case studies of how Indigenous knowledge and Western science can inform each other, then discuss why combining both perspectives can strengthen climate planning.

Differentiation:

Using free online software, provide a transcript for students to follow along with written text.
Give English language learners visual representations of the topics covered and ask them questions about Indigenous knowledge and traditions in their home countries.

Hosted on boisestatepublicradio.org

Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.

Standards alignment · MS-LS2-4 + 3 more

Science and Engineering

MS-LS2-4Construct an argument supported by empirical evidence that changes to physical or biological components of an ecosystem affect populations.
HS-ESS3-4Evaluate or refine a technological solution that reduces impacts of human activities on natural systems.

Social Studies

Civics& Government 3 (F2): Students understand political and civic aspects of cultural diversity by describing the political structures and civic responsibilities of the diverse historic and current cultures of Maine, including Maine Native Americans.
Geography2 (D1): Students understand geographic aspects of unity and diversity in Maine, the United States, and various world cultures, including Maine Native Americans, by summarizing and interpreting the relationship between geographic features and cultures of Maine Native Americans, and historical and recent immigrant groups in Maine, the United States, and the world.