Number: 2007-16
WHEREAS, over 560 Native American tribes and Native Alaskan Villages are recognized nationally; and
WHEREAS, Native American tribes are sovereign nations and have far-reaching management authority and can directly impact conservation decisions on over 95 million acres of land; and
WHEREAS, tribal reservations provide important habitat for hundreds of native North American species that occupy both tribal and non-tribal lands, including over 525 species of plants and animals recognized by the U.S. government as requiring special protection; and
WHEREAS, to the detriment of wildlife and habitat, there is increasing pressure on Native American tribes to develop their natural and mineral resources because of chronic lack of economic opportunity and declining federal support for tribes; and
WHEREAS, climate change is a human rights and environmental justice issue with significant impacts to Native Americans; and
WHEREAS, Native American tribes can be important partners for the nation in confronting climate change by providing key inspiration regarding climate change and its impact on our natural world; and
WHEREAS, the development on tribal lands of renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power could provide important sources of electrical power thereby alleviating the growing impacts of climate change; and
WHEREAS, Native American organizations, such as NativeEnergy, are supporting Native American, community-based projects that create social, economic, and environmental benefits, while offsetting the carbon emissions generated by such climate change projects as the documentary An Inconvenient Truth;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation, at its annual meeting assembled March 30-31, 2007, in Washington, D.C., supports tribal efforts to develop clean/renewable energy sources that are compatible with wildlife and habitat conservation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages support for Native American tribes on energy/renewable energy development and the impact or benefit to the environment, tribal natural resources, and tribal communities; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports Native American organizations and other partners that offer responsible solutions to climate change that integrate economic development, natural resource sustainability, and cultural preservation; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports assistance for tribes to restore and protect habitat to ensure refuges for wildlife impacted by climate change; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation supports strengthening partnerships with Native American tribes and intertribal organizations to increase awareness of climate change, generate active responses to combat climate change, and advance climate justice; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation urges the formation of a national coalition of Native American tribes organized to confront climate change; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the National Wildlife Federation encourages the U.S. Congress, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, the Department of Energy, and other appropriate federal agencies to support tribal efforts to confront climate change and develop clean/renewable energy resources.