Tribal Engagement

Arizona Department of Water Resources (ADWR) oversees the use of surface water and groundwater in the state and represents Arizona’s interests in interstate and federal matters on water. Its director serves as the principal negotiator for the state in water right settlement negotiations with the 22 Indigenous Tribes and Nations in Arizona, and engages with them in Colorado River negotiations, conservation, and drought mitigation efforts. This engagement occurs at the executive level and through outreach from legal and program staff. 

ADWR recognizes its responsibility in consultation and engagement with Tribes to respect tribal sovereignty, self determination, and data sovereignty. We recognize that water knows no boundaries, and our collaborative partnerships with Tribes as sovereign water users are crucial to our agency goals. We recognize we need Tribes ‘at the table,’ to achieve these ends–and that we cannot do this without substantive partnership with tribal leadership.

Tribal Resources

	Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) - Tribal Climate Change Resolution Template and Guide This resolution template was created by the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) to serve as a model on which tribes can base their own resolution for a tribal climate change initiative. The template is not a “one-size-fits-all” solution, and users are encouraged to modify the template to better represent the needs and priorities of the tribe. The guide will help users complete and personalize their own resolutions. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	Arroyo 2022 - Water Resilience - Indigenous Perspectives The water resilience of Native peoples to climate and other exogenous shocks has depended largely on the perseverance of the Native Tribes themselves and will depend increasingly on their own intentions and agency. The University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center’s 2021 Annual Conference, Tribal Water Resilience in a Changing Environment, provided a platform for Native American participants to present and discuss their experiences, knowledge, and visions of water resilience. This Arroyo draws extensively on their words.  Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	Climate Adaptation Plan for the Navajo Nation (2018) Effects from climate change are happening right now and the Navajo people are witnesses to its continuing outcome. The Climate Adaptation Plan for the Navajo Nation includes priorities, risks, goals, and strategies for climate change, as well as instructions for plan implementation. Who is this open to : Navajo Nation
	Climate Profile of Gila River Indian Community Utilizing computer models and current and historical weather data, the University of Arizona developed a climate profile for the Gila River Indian Community (GRIC). This profile reviews a wide variety of potential impacts, including drought and changes to water availability, to help support GRIC in planning for the future.  Who is this open to : Gila River Indian Community
	Community Development Department - Environmental Protection and Natural Resources This webpage provides information about the Environmental Protection and Natural Resources Division, which was established to enhance the quality of life within the Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community by protecting and preserving the land, ecosystems, wildlife, history, and natural resources of the Community. Who is this open to : Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community
	Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool EPA’s Tribal Greenhouse Gas Inventory Tool was developed to help tribes across the United States to evaluate their greenhouse gas emissions. Use this tool to compile a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for your entire tribe or for tribal government operations in particular. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	Indian Community Development Block Grant (ICDBG) The ICDBG Program provides eligible grantees with direct grants for use in developing viable Indian and Alaska Native Communities, including decent housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities, primarily for low and moderate income persons. Projects funding by the ICDBG program must principally benefit low-and-moderate-income persons (24 CFR 1003.208). The program regulations provide for two categories of grants, Single Purpose and Imminent Threat. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	ITEP Tribes & Climate Change Program This website provides information and resources tailored to helping Native people gain a better understanding of climate change and its impacts on their communities and resources. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	NASA Navajo Drought Severity Tool The Drought Severity Tool works to improve drought reporting and management in the Navajo Nation. It combines satellite data, modeled inputs and in-situ data from the Navajo in a web-based platform, which harnesses Google Earth Engine.  Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes, Navajo Nation
	Native American Water Rights Settlement Project (NAWRS) - University of New Mexico The NAWRS website serves as a digital repository of documents that formalize water rights for tribes across the United States. Documents can be searched through the interactive map by selecting a specific state, water basin, or tribal boundary.   Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	Native Waters on Arid Lands The Native Waters on Arid Lands project seeks to enhance the climate resiliency of agriculture on American Indian lands of the Great Basin and Southwest by building the capacity within tribal communities to develop and implement reservation-wide plans, policies, and practices to support sustainable agriculture and water management. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	Stable Isotopes in Precipitation and Meteoric Water This research paper walks explains the importance in understanding how different types of weather systems produce precipitation and how precipitation from those systems contributes to water resources by closely examining the North American Monsoon season in relation to Navajo land. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes, Navajo Nation
	Technical Review of the Navajo Nation Drought Contingency Plan - Drought Monitoring This report includes a description of the regional climate (including the prominence of climate variability in the region), the drought context in the Four Corners, a close look at the 6-month SPI and its value in drought planning, a discussion of regional drought monitoring, and a series of recommendation for the Water Management Branch based on the review of the plan and analysis of the climate data available to the reviewers. Who is this open to : Navajo Nation
	The Navajo Water Project A community managed utility alternative that brings hot and cold running water to homes without access to water or sewer lines. They work to install Home Water Systems. Who is this open to : Navajo Nation
	The Status of Tribes & Climate Change Report The Status of Tribes and Climate Change (STACC) Report seeks to uplift and honor the voices of Indigenous peoples across the U.S. to increase understanding of Tribal lifeways, cultures, and worldviews; the climate change impacts Tribes are experiencing; the solutions they are implementing; and ways that all of us can support Tribes in adapting to our changing world. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	The Status of Tribes & Climate Change Report The Status of Tribes and Climate Change (STACC) Report seeks to uplift and honor the voices of Indigenous peoples across the U.S. to increase understanding of Tribal lifeways, cultures, and worldviews; the climate change impacts Tribes are experiencing; the solutions they are implementing; and ways that all of us can support Tribes in adapting to our changing world. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	Tribal Clean Water A project of the Water & Tribes Initiative that seeks to achieve universal access to clean, safe drinking water for all Native communities in the United States.  Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	Tribal Climate Adaptation Guidebook The Tribal Climate Adaptation Guidebook, published as a pdf in 2018 and adapted to a website in 2022, supports Tribes in their efforts to prepare for climate change. The Guidebook provides a comprehensive framework for climate change adaptation planning that explicitly recognizes the distinct circumstances of Tribal governments, culture, and knowledge systems while highlighting exemplary efforts by Tribes to adapt to climate change. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	Tribal Climate Resilience Resource Director University, Federal, Department of the Interior, and International Resilience Resources provided by the Tribal Climate Resilience branch of the U.S Department of the Interior Indian Affairs. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	U.S. Climate Resilience Toolkit This webpage provides a toolkit available to help tribes manage their climate-related risks and opportunities, and to help guide them in building resilience to extreme events. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	Updated Climate Projections For All U.S. Tribal Lands Native climate  a project that supports climate adaptation efforts in Native American communities of the Southwest and Northern Plains, compiled local climate projections for 633 tribally controlled areas in the United States, including Alaska Native Villages and State Designated Tribal Areas, and climate divisions for the State of Hawaii. This tool provides data on probable weather conditions to better prepare tribal communities for changing conditions for the next century. Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes
	Utah State University Extension Fact Sheet (2021) The objective of this fact sheet is to illustrate the economic impacts of drought on agriculture and reservation economies in Arizona. Who is this open to : Hopi Tribe, Navajo Nation, San Carlos Apache Tribe, Tohono O'odham Nation, White Mountain Apache Tribe
	Water & Tribes Initiative The Water & Tribes Initiative seeks to enhance the capacity of tribes and to advance sustainable water management through collaborative decision-making. The Initiative works with the Babbitt Center for Land and Water Policy, the Walton Family Foundation, Ten Tribes Partnership, and other individuals and groups.   Who is this open to : All Nations/Tribes, Colorado River Indian Tribes