Shifting Seasons Summits
Shifting Seasons Summits are hosted periodically by the College of Menominee Nation's Sustainable Development Institute and partners. The multi-day meetings are intended to bring together Tribal decision makers, federal agencies, Indigenous practitioners, land resource stewards, and climate change scientists to share knowledge and resources to benefit climate change adaptation efforts by Tribal and non-Tribal entities. Four summits took place in 2011, 2014, 2021, and 2024. The next summit is planned to take place in 2027.
2024 Shifting Seasons Summit:
Implementing Climate Resilience
This 4th installment of the Shifting Seasons Summit was a gathering that focused on implementing climate resilience within Tribal Nations, across Tribal ceded territories, and across borders within and outside of the Midwest Region. This summit included network-building opportunities, experiential learning, and much more! The summit was planned around the Menominee Theoretical Model of Sustainability (MTMS) - more about the MTMS can be found here.
Key points included:
Sharing on-the-ground examples for implementation work already being done
Identifying actions and funding opportunities to further implementation efforts for Indigenous-led or supported climate adaptation projects
Sharing tools and resources for planning and implementation
Building relationships across Tribal Nations
2021 Shifting Seasons Summit:
Sharing Adaptation and Resilience Knowledge Across Indigenous Communities
2014 Shifting Seasons Summit:
Building Tribal Capacity for Climate Change Adaptation
The central theme of the 2014 summit was building Tribal capacity for climate change adaptation, specifically in the Northeast Region of the United States. There were 140 participants representing perspectives from academia, government, federal agencies, and Tribal entities. Participants included Tribal decision makers, natural resource managers, and climate change scientists. Overall attendance was about 50% Tribal and 50% non-Tribal.
Summit participants on a field trip at the College of Menominee Nation. (Photo courtesy of Northeast CASC / Julie Edler, SDI Social Media Coordinator)
2011 Shifting Seasons Summit:
Great Lakes Tribal Climate Change
The 2011 summit drew over 100 people from 21 tribes, numerous federal and state agencies, and academia to engage in dialogue to identify themes and action goals for tribal climate change research, education, and outreach. The summit focused on climate change indicators and resiliency strategies.
Summit participants provided recommendations for climate change research, education, and outreach. According to participants' comments, climate change affects Native communities and the environment in many different but intertwined ways.
SDI Water Quality Intern Ben SPEAKING with Arthur "Butch" Blazer, Deputy Under Secretary, USDA (Photo courtesy of Patrick Waukau, SDI Multimedia & Outreach Specialist)