Indigenous Ocean Science Forum April 22-23, 2013

West Coast Tribes of Washington, Oregon, and California are invited to join in a two day Indigenous Ocean Science Forum on April 22-23 in Portland, Oregon. This forum is to coordinate and facilitate engagement of Tribal sovereign nations across the west coast to identify ways indigenous science, traditional ecological knowledge, and management practices should be integrated into regional governance. We will also discuss tribal priorities for regional ocean governance and science, and assess existing tribal familiarity with and active engagement in the National Ocean Policy (NOP), Coastal and Marine Spatial Planning (CMSP), and the West Coast Governor’s Alliance (WCGA) processes.

Forum Registration and Attendance is Free

Online registration will close April 10, 2013. Onsite registration will be offered but meals are limited and might not be available for late registrants.

A block of rooms have been reserved for forum speakers and attendees at the Courtyard Portland City Center Marriott Hotel at the discounted price of $113/night. In order to receive the discounted price guests need to make reservations before April 7, 2013 by clicking on the links below. The discounted price does not include the $23/day parking fee, discounted from $30/day. Click below to book your room today.
 
Smith River Group Block KING BEDS
Smith River Group Block 2 QUEEN BEDS

 

Forum Location:Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center
The Billy Frank Jr. Conference Center
in the Jean Vollum
Natural Capital Center Building

721 NW 9th Ave.
Portland, OR 97213

 Forum Information

Agenda
Registration Form

Scholarship Application

Lodging Information

Map of Portland

 

Travel scholarships are limited and will be awarded to those traveling the furthest on a first come first serve basis.
Facilitating Coordination of West Coast Tribes for Effective
Ocean Regional Governance and CMSP
Project Description
The Indigenous Ocean Science Forum seeks to serve as a catalyst towards the collaboration of West Coast Tribes in regional ocean governance. The Forum is a part of a larger efort by the Smith River Rancheria to facilitate a coordinated effort by Tribal sovereign nations of the West Coast to engage in ocean governance and science. In order to take a leadership role, as well as identify ways to engage with CMSP on a state, regional, and national level, West Coast Tribes must have the capacity to clearly articulate meaningful ways to integrate science and traditional ecological knowledge geospatially, as well as a regional body that provides a platform for Tribes to identify ocean governance priorities and support inter-tribal collaboration and dialog.

Purpose
As with coastal Tribes across the West Coast, we as Tolowa Dee-ni’ have always relied on the ocean since time immemorial and marine resources are integral to our lifeways. The ability to continue to practice these marine subsistence, ceremonial, and customary uses is inherent to us. With these practices comes a responsibility to assure the health and vitality of this rich environment and resources for future generations of the Tolowa Dee-ni’. The need to engage Tribes as sovereign nations in ocean governance cannot be understated. Neither can the rich indigenous ecological knowledge, our inherent responsibility of stewardship, and the inextricable link to marine ecosystems that permeates our lifeways. The proposed project seeks to provide a tribally-driven approach to ensure this is reflected in regional ocean governance

PowerPoint Presentation

 Links

NOAA

National Ocean Policy

West Coast Governors
Alliance

Coastal Marine Spatial Planning

This report is being facilitated by Smith River Rancheria and is funded in part through a federal grant from the Regional Ocean Partnership Funding Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), US Department of Commerce.

The views expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Commerce, or NOAA.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric AdministrationSmith River Rancheria

 Contact

Megan Rocha:
Project Manager
e-mail: megan.m.rocha@gmail.com

Briannon Fraley:
Self-Governance Director
e-mail: briannon.fraley@tolowa.com

Brian Anspach:
GIS Analyst
e-mail: brian.anspach@tolowa.com