Groundbreaking indigenous sustainability conference explores future of tribes in era of climate change

TEMPE, Ariz. - What does the future hold for Native peoples in an era defined by climate change? How does indigenous knowledge work within the realm of sustainability science? How do these two worlds collide and ultimately benefit native peoples and the earth?

Indigenous scholars, sustainability scientists and tribal leaders will gather in Tempe, Ariz., from Oct. 6-7, to discuss and debate indigenous sustainability and environmental issues (see attached agenda). The ASU “Conference on Indigenous Sustainability: Implications for the Future of Indigenous Peoples and Native Nations” offers an unprecedented opportunity to address some of the most pressing issues facing indigenous people and the earth today.

Sustainability is a concept that is engrained in the practices of indigenous people throughout the world who have traditionally practiced living in harmony with natural forces, but native peoples today are also among the most susceptible to environmental degradation.

“Experts agree that indigenous peoples are among the most vulnerable populations in the world to climate change. Most indigenous peoples live in areas that are being heavily impacted by climate change and forms of development including timber harvesting and mining that are quite damaging to the natural environment,” said Rebecca Tsosie, ASU Regent’s professor in the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law.

Conference participants will discuss indigenous knowledge and how it is expressed in different parts of the world, said Donald Fixico, ASU distinguished foundation professor of history in the School of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies, College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

“We’ll look at how indigenous knowledge has enabled native peoples to thrive in a comparative discourse with western thinking and western scientists, while both intellectual approaches face similar sustainability issues that involve preserving and renewing natural resources,” Fixico said.

Conference participants will discuss and debate topics such as: The Future of Sustainability, Educating the Next Generation; Sustaining Indigenous Knowledge and Culture; Entrepreneurship and Economic Sustainability; Sustaining Inherent Tribal Self-Governance; Native Science and the Natural World; and Tribal Energy and the Environment. The conference is sponsored by the Arizona State University President’s Office of American Indian Initiatives and supported by the ASU Office of the Provost.

“We look forward to engaging in this historic dialog at ASU while we look toward the future of sustainability studies and educating our next generation of leaders who will serve as stewards of the planet,” said Gary Dirks, ASU professor of practice and director of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Institute of Sustainability and ASU LightWorks.

Participants in the conference include internationally known indigenous experts such as: Maori keynote speaker Linda Tuhiwai Smith, University of Waikato indigenous education professor in New Zealand, who will be the first Indigenous Scholar in Residence at ASU; Jeff Corntassel, University of Victoria professor; Greg Cajete, Native American Studies professor at the University of New Mexico; and Valmaine Toki, University of Waikato professor of law, New Zealand. ASU American Indian faculty members are integral participants in the conference including Rebecca Tsosie and Donald Fixico, who are participants and serving as conference co-chairs.

Arizona State University is a leader in American Indian Studies and initiatives with more than 2,400 enrolled American Indian students. The university is also is home to the nation’s first School of Sustainability and a leader in solar energy.

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