Tribes in the Pacific Northwest Tackling Climate Change
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Provided by: Our Living Lands|Published on: August 20, 2026
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Scientist Reviewed This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- 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.
Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Civics, Geography
Authors: Daniel Spaulding
Region: North America
Languages: English
Teaching Materials
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.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
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