Help shape the future of our water.
Water is at the heart of our cultures, spirituality and society. Water sustains us and gives us life. But water needs our help.
Tribal communities view their relationship to water as one of stewardship. Our governments invest significant tribal resources to care for our natural resources as co-managers with federal and state agencies, but it has not been enough to protect water’s future. Over time, tribal water resources have been degraded as the demands and pressures on these resources increase. Today, Oregon’s waters are at risk. Changing Currents is a project of Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) to foster a deeper dialogue about water resource protection and to support the evolution of a tribally-led water movement to ensure the health of our people and preserve our ways of life for many generations to come.
Sharing our stories
We know the power of story.
Our people have used stories to pass down traditions, religious beliefs, and how to take care of the earth for generations. As we look ahead, we believe that it is through story that we will define our shared interests in protecting and restoring sacred waterways.
ATNI is developing a platform to collect and share Indigenous perspectives and experiences related to water - its place in our cultures, our prayers, and our daily lives. These stories will guide our leaders and ensure future policy is reflective of community member voices.
Elevating tribal water priorities
We can build a movement in Oregon.
Indigenous community leaders and issues are gaining political attention across the country, and water is a top natural resource issue for Oregon. With environmental rollbacks at the federal level, now is the time to focus on state action.
Changing Currents is a venue for tribal interests to outline joint policy priorities that support the future of water. ATNI is exploring if there is interest among its member tribes to work toward adoption of a water policy platform or proclamation to ensure sovereign interests are heeded by Oregon’s state government.
Oregon Tribal Water Summit
August 2017 - University of Oregon, Knight Law Center
The first Changing Currents Tribal Water Summit took place in August 2017 at the University of Oregon. Convened by ATNI, staff and leadership from Oregon and Northwest tribes came together to begin a dialogue around our common water interests. The intertribal approach looked at Oregon tribal water interests from a "summit to sea" perspective, or following the flow of water.
Out of these conversations, four major themes emerged: - Healthy water (quality & quantity) - Cultural & spiritual connection to water - Need to document & share tribal water stories - Protection of tribal water rights The next Changing Currents Summit is planned for June 28-29, 2018, at the University of Washington in Seattle. Learn more at changingcurrents.org.
Changing Currents: 2017 Tribal Water Summit--Oregon
project team
CONTACT
US
Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians
Tel. 503-249-5770
Fax. 503-249-5773
6636 NE Sandy Blvd.
Portland, Oregon 97213
Tribal
visits
May: Confederated Tribes of the Umatilla Indian Reservation, Klamath Tribes & Burns Paiute Tribes
June: Coquille Tribe, Confederated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw, Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians, Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, and Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs