Session 8. 3. C.

As Kanaloa (in this context, he is the ocean) rises and reaches further inland on the shores of Hawaiʻi, decisions will need to be made on what to do about the existing and future natural and built shoreline. The coastline has been a part of the lives of Kānaka ʻŌiwi (Native Hawaiians) since time immemorial. In this place, our people continuously build our relationship to ʻāina (that which feeds), traverse the ocean, nurture and harvest food and other resources, care for the spirits of our ancestors who are often buried near the coast, heal our bodies, and recreate through activities like swimming, paddling, diving and surfing. The colonization of Hawai‘i resulted in a U.S.-state governance structure and Hawai‘i’s coastal zone management laws. Without clear pathways for Kānaka ʻŌiwi voices to engage in coastal planning for Kanaloa's migration inland, current adaptation efforts lack adequate representation. This talk will focus on my journey from sea level rise research as a climate scientist and coastal geologist to my current PhD endeavors in Indigenous Planning. In particular, I focus on the development of planning and governance processes to uplift Indigenous land use perspectives within sea level rise responses.

In this study, we conducted a social impact assessment of Klamath dam removal for tribal community well-being, as a contribution to tribal assessment science. Building on a long-term research partnership with the Karuk Tribe, we co-developed an assessment tool evaluating the social, cultural and economic impacts of dam removal in the Klamath Basin (California, Oregon, US). Our study design used a well-being framework focused on access to cultural resources, holistic health, self-governance, education, and livelihoods (https://damremovalsocialimpact.com). We analyzed surveys and focus groups with Tribal community members through coding and Indigenous storytelling methodologies. By including Karuk knowledge systems that connect the health of the river and the people, the assessment recasts dam removal as eco-cultural revitalization, and provides a baseline for evaluating social impacts from dam removal that is relevant to the tribal community. In this way, our research redefines the reference system used to track Klamath watershed restoration outcomes. By taking a more inclusive approach to environmental governance, we move away from siloed approaches that separate biophysical and social systems, and towards more holistic watershed governance for tribal community well-being.

The integration of Indigenous Knowledge (IK) is crucial for the sustainable management of common-pool resources (CPR), particularly for Indigenous communities facing the challenges posed by climate change, land degradation, and the incorporation of IK into modern legal frameworks. This research investigates the role of IK in sustaining these resources, with a specific focus on the Bedouin community's management of their common pastoral land in Jordan's Southern Badia. To analyze this, a customized Institutional Analysis and Development (IAD) framework is employed, emphasizing the significance of informal institutions within CPR management systems. This approach facilitates an exploration of how IK and community-based management strategies have cultivated ecological resilience and social cohesion.

Furthermore, the study assesses the effectiveness of the Bedouins' collective management practices through the lens of Ostrom’s Design Principles (1990), which focus on the robustness and resilience of self-organized governance systems. Utilizing qualitative methods, including interviews and document analysis, this research examines the Bedouin community's informal institutions and governance structures in addressing environmental pressures and ensuring sustainable CPR use.

The findings highlight the importance of creating space for Indigenous communities to manage their own commons, recognizing the Bedouins' expertise in navigating environmental changes, considering that rangelands in Jordan were sustainable before the Bedouin sedentation projects in 1960. This research contributes to ongoing discussions at the intersection of cultural preservation and environmental conservation, emphasizing the need for Indigenous autonomy in resource management amid pressing ecological challenges.

With the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the Inflation Reduction Act in the U.S., there is now unprecedented funding for renewable energy, including substantial funding specifically for Native Tribes. Since Tribes pay disproportionately high energy costs, have long borne the brunt of fossil fuel extraction, and disproportionately feel the effects of climate change, these funds represent an opportunity to shift power. Renewable energy could offer Tribes that are interested the opportunity to enhance energy resiliency, drive economic development, and ultimately support self-determination and Tribal sovereignty.

Yet unprecedented funding will not guarantee renewable energy projects that substantially benefit Tribes. There is often a lack of capacity to apply for federal funding, a need for technical expertise, workforce development gaps, and a long history of energy extraction on Tribal lands that leaves many Native people rightfully wondering if they will actually benefit. These barriers stem from colonial structures and a complicated system of Federal Indian Law that adds jurisdictional and bureaucratic challenges.

Drawing from both direct work and research in this field, this presentation will explore how Tribes are leading the way to harness renewables for the benefit of their people—and the policy and structural barriers that still stand in the way. It will begin with a brief explanation of the legacies of federal policies that create complications for Tribes in this area today. We will then share examples of how Tribes have found creative avenues to leverage renewables for the benefit of their citizens. Lastly, we will end with an exploration of policy recommendations in this area so that the clean energy transition can truly be a transformational opportunity for Tribes.