This meeting was hosted by the Council on Energy and Resources for Tribes (CERTS), which develops energy resources for its tribal members.
CERTS, the Native American Rights Funds (a legal group), the Congress for American Indians, and the American Indians for Equal Opportunity all worked together to prepare the outline for this new organization. This Task Force would:
1. Develop legal information and resources for environmental protection of Native Americans.
2. Act as a liaison between the BIA, Native American Environmental Protection Agency, the U.S. Congress, the Dept. of Interior, and other agencies that may be involved in tribal affairs.
3. Do outreach to Native American tribes in matters relating to environmental protection.
4. Be an advocate for tribes in Congress on environmental issues.
5. Be a resource for grant development for tribes.
6. Network with other environmental groups.
Monday, the first evening, the tribes present introduced themselves and explained their individual programs, and one by one explained their problems and their needs. There were many states represented.
I was the only one from California and the only person not representing any tribe. I was there because I am a person involved in environmental issues concerning Native Americans, and a board member of the Mendocino Environmental Center. I explained the work I did, which was different than anyone else there.
Most of the issues of the tribes present were centered on specific problems of toxic waste dumping on the reservations, landfill, nuclear waste dumping, water contamination, underground water contamination, water and fishing rights violations, state interference and lack of communication with federal agencies.
Time was spent getting acquainted with one another, which was a very important part of this conference. I was very happy to find out that other "grassroots" natives were present. Decisions are easier to make if most of the people are speaking the same language, and understanding the same things. The people present that evening experienced a spiritual togetherness that provided the strength for genuine expression throughout the conference.
On Tuesday, all three organizations sponsoring the Task Force proposal were there, and they presented the reasons why there was a need for the creation of this Task Force.
Most of the morning was devoted to questions and answers . A lot of the talk centered on the expenditure of money and the outreach aspects of this proposal. During a working lunch, we each talked about our interpretations of the proposal and our expectations. After lunch, the group got down to the important issues.
Money: Many of the tribes were facing huge fines levied by states for environmental violations. Other tribes need money to clean up their respective reservations. There is a need for environmental protection education. The sponsors were questioned as to where the money would come from to develop this Task Force. The tribes all know that there is only one pot of money that all of them, including this Task Force, would be drawing from: the federal pot. Would they be competing with the tribes for money to run this new agency? There were not direct answers to the questions asked.
Outreach: What guarantees were there to the tribes that the proposed outreach would be done? How effective would this outreach be? How would the personnel be selected? The tribes know the records of several of the sponsoring groups, and they are spotty in outreach. Since outreach would be the liaison between the program and the tribe, if it is poor, then service would be poor or merely token.
Tuesday afternoon was spent in a discussion of the feasibility of this new environmental program. In the early evening a poll was taken, and the results were against the formation of such a program at this time. While the need is there, the proposal submitted was not acceptable to those present.
At this conference, the tribal people expressed their concerns over the global environmental destruction. A thought was spoken of a tribal environmental group organized to resolve individual and group tribal problems, and a consolidation of tribal resources and energy to fight the apathy of the federal government and the callousness of big business.
Individual tribal representatives expressed their appreciation for the work that I am doing with the Environmental Center. I know the problems that the tribes are facing are big ones, and make our problems seem small. The emotions that these tribes feel when their requests for aid are denied, and the feeling of overwhelming frustration and anxiety, are shared by every Native American who has experienced this feeling of hopelessness.
I thank the Mendocino Environmental Center for helping me to get to Denver for this Native American Environmental Task Force conference. This trip was funded by the MEC with the understanding that I would be able to get donations to repay my expenses. I still need $455.00 more. Please send your donations to the MEC.
Copyright Mendocino Environmental Center 2004
Permission granted to excerpt or use this article if source is cited