Tribal Natural Resources News

Native American tribes around the West are making critical decisions regarding the management of their resources — land, water, fossil fuels and renewable resources. The Tribal Natural Resources Desk aims to produce objective reporting to tell stories of tribes empowering themselves through stewardship and decision-making around their resources.
USDA is hosting consultations, listening sessions with tribal leaders
These formal consultations with leaders from among the 574 federally-recognized tribes will focus on a lot of topics, including, economic development, trade, food safety, farming, ranching, conservation as well as forests and public land management.
Apr. 23, 2024
2 meetings this week on proposed Arizona forests land exchange with Yavapai-Apache Nation
The Forest Service is hosting a pair of community meetings in Camp Verde and Prescott this week to discuss a proposed exchange of federal land for land owned by the Yavapai-Apache Nation.
Jan. 16, 2024
Navajo-owned Skoden Coffee & Tea relocates to Phoenix after closing up shop in Window Rock
One Diné entrepreneur’s budding urban business, once based in the capital of the Navajo Nation, has since moved to the Valley last month. Now, they’re nestled inside the Uptown Phoenix furniture and design store, For the People, located off North Central Avenue.
More news on tribal natural resources
Jan. 15, 2024
President Buu Nygren speaks at first-ever People’s State of the Navajo Nation
Today marks a year since Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren took office in 2023. His speech on Tuesday touched on affordable housing, economic development, climate change and capital infrastructure projects, including energy and water.
Jan. 10, 2024
Dams are coming down on rivers. Why many tribes are all for that
The Show spoke with Debra Utacia Krol from the Arizona Republic about her reporting on tribal concerns about dams along the Klamath River in Northern California.
Jan. 10, 2024
Tribes letter supports Navajos NASA complaint
This group of Native allies consisting of more than 50 large land-mass tribal communities making up more than half of Indian Country’s population are now standing in solidarity with President Buu Nygren and the Navajo Nation.
Jan. 5, 2024
2 tribal leaders instrumental in water deals named 2023 Arizonans of the Year
The Show spoke with Elvia Díaz, the Arizona Republic editorial page editor, about the 2023 Arizonans of the Year: Stephen Roe Lewis, Governor of the Gila River Tribe and Colorado Indian Tribes Chairwoman Amelia Flores.
Jan. 2, 2024
2 tribal colleges received $750K in USDA funding in Arizona
The Tsaile-based Diné College will construct a livestock holding facility under its agriculture education program, while Tohono O’odham Community College will provide solar power and help offset costs for a language center building on its main campus in Sells through the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Dec. 29, 2023
Shoppers brought a bit of the Southwest home for the holidays from S’edav Va’aki Indian Market
Authentic, handmade Native arts and crafts are hard to come by, even for the holiday season. But shoppers, both tourists and locals alike, brought home a bit of Indian Country from the annual Phoenix-based S’edav Va’aki Indian Market in December.
Dec. 22, 2023
These were the top 5 most-viewed stories on kjzz.org in 2023
As 2024 approaches, here's a look back at the five most-viewed stories on KJZZ.org this year.
Dec. 22, 2023
Interior Department announces $10M to replace earthen dam at Tohono O’odham Nation
An O’odham community, named Menagers Dam, is where the construction of a new dam is supposed to improve public safety and substantial flood protection for downstream towns and villages.
Dec. 19, 2023
Tribes focus on Post-2026 guidelines for Lake Powell, Lake Mead
The ‘Sovereign to Sovereign Dialogue,’ a first-of-its-kind panel held on Friday during the Colorado River Water Users Association’s 75th meeting in Las Vegas included discussions between the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Camille Touton and three Colorado River Basin tribal leaders among the Ten Tribes Partnership.
Dec. 19, 2023
Tohono Oodham leader says Guard troops wont be deployed on tribal land
Tribal leaders of the Tohono O'odham Nation say they’re in touch with Arizona over the National Guard deployment along the border, but troops won’t be deployed on tribal land.
Dec. 19, 2023
CRIT farm manager says tribal farmers are one big family
Colorado River Indian Tribes farm manager Josh Moore sat on a panel, “Considering Rural Enhancements: Innovations and Challenges for Sustainable Agriculture in the Basin," at this week’s Colorado River Water Users Association annual conference in Las Vegas.
Dec. 17, 2023
Indigenous Resilience Center director talks Diné water access at Colorado River conference
The University of Arizona's Karletta Chief traveled to Las Vegas to educate conference attendees about the uniquely Navajo challenges of accessing water and her team's progress on the Navajo Nation.
Dec. 15, 2023
Navajo farmers, ranchers convene regional caucus
Twelve geographic regional caucuses from all across Indian Country convened to talk about Native issues ranging from discrimination to the looming farm bill at the Intertribal Agriculture Council annual conference in Las Vegas.
Dec. 13, 2023
GRIC got a big shout-out at the White House Tribal Nations Summit
Vice President Kamala Harris reflected on her recent trip to the Gila River Indian Community from the stage of the third annual White House Tribal Nations Summit earlier this week.
Dec. 9, 2023
A historic Gila River Indian Community groundbreaking stirs up a celebration
The sound of an auger drilling along the Casa Blanca Canal, south of Phoenix, stirs up a celebration for the Gila River Indian Community on Friday. It signifies the start of a five-year pilot project to cover nearly 3,000 feet of that canal with more than 2,500 solar panels.
GRIC got a big shout-out at the White House Tribal Nations Summit
Dec. 9, 2023
Pueblo Nations chair defends Chaco Canyon decision
The chairman of the All Pueblo Council of Governors, who represents 20 sovereign Pueblo Nations in New Mexico and Texas, attended this week's third annual White House Tribal Nations Summit, thanking President Joe Biden and his administration for gifting his communities “a seat at the table.”
Dec. 8, 2023
Biden welcomes Indigenous leaders to third-ever White House Tribal Nations Summit
Tribal leadership from across Indian Country came to the White House to participate in this two-day annual gathering that began under the Biden-Harris administration in 2021.
Dec. 6, 2023
These Native chefs see a future for tribal agritourism in Arizona
Eight chefs and foodway demonstrators near and far traveled to Old Town Scottsdale in November to showcase their uniquely Native foods and flavors at the Arizona Indigenous Edible Experience hosted by the Western Spirit: Scottsdale’s Museum of the West.
Dec. 6, 2023

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