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Forest, and academia, researchers and advocates of Indigenous rights all of whom spoke with an intense passion of their missions to protect and sustain their people’s cultures and ways of life.

Water loss due to climate change and surrounding agribusinesses is a primary concern for many as there are direct impacts to community resources for drinking water. Extensive farming practices on adjoining lands requires heavy water consumption for irrigation, and the application of herbicides and pesticides may be contaminating existing water resources through runoff or leaching. Efforts to document current headwater conditions and compared them with historical levels have been initiated by environmental agents using input from village elders who orally and physically described previous levels.

The Native American Fish and Wildlife Society (NAFWS) participated in an Indigenous Knowledge Exchange & Capacity Building Project in Maranhão, Brazil from November 8-13, 2022. The gathering, entitled “Indigenous Dialogues for Territorial Protection,” took place at the Penxwyi Hempejxà Teaching and Research Center in Carolina, Maranhão, Brazil and focused on sharing knowledge and experience of the challenges and strategies of land management and resource protection of Indigenous peoples from the United States and Brazil.

The event was sponsored and coordinated by the U.S. Department of Interior (Fish and Wildlife Service and International Technical Assistance Program), U.S. State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development, NAFWS, and the Brazilian organizations of Indigenous Work Center – CTI, Wyty Catë Association of the Timbira of Maranhão and Tocancins Communities, Coordination of Organizations and Articulations of the Indigenous Peoples of Maranhão –COAPIMA, Articulation Maranhão Indigenous Women –AMIMA, and Institute of Society Population and Nature –ISPN.

NAFWS participants included representatives from the

Memortumré – Kanela) and GuajajaraTenetehara.

NAFWS Representatives from left to right – Jessica Koski, Caleb Hickman, Robert Romero, Buddy Shapp, Rosa Laucci and Orville Huntington.

This was the first ever Brazilian gathering of this type, and it was attended by 65 representatives from 14 different indigenous communities from the states of Maranhão and Tocantins. Every community gave a presentation regarding their individual natural resource protection strategies, all of which surrounded the impacts of exploitation of their indigenous territories through illegal logging and mining operations, agribusiness, livestock trespass, and wildlife poaching. The presenters included Timbira tribal leaders, environmental agents, fire brigade members, Guardians of the Forest and Warriors of the

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Women Guardians of the Forest have established themselves in many territories and have developed an environmental education program that they are teaching primarily to youth of both Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities to instill the importance of Tribal cultures. The Women Guardians also share intelligence of illegal activities with the Warriors of the Forest who routinely patrol respective territories and tactfully address violators in high-risk situations. With limited resources, the Warriors collect evidence of the crimes and provide it to the Federal Police of Brazil for prosecution; however, the majority of the cases are never litigated.

“The gathering in Brazil was extremely meaningful to me, and the words and sharing of cultures by all was something I rarely experience. At the gathering I felt there was a deep spirituality and lifting each other to a place of hope and a better future for the tribes in Brazil. Each of and every one of us brought something special to the gathering and there are no words to express it. Such a critical time for those indigenous tribes in the south, and we were so grateful to provide aid to them and add them to our family of indigenous tribes as one across the Americas. Our work is not done, and we have started on a sacred sharing that will and should continue,” said NAFWS Alaska Regional Director Orville Huntington.

NAFWS representatives, along with our Federal and Brazilian colleagues, visited Capitao do Campo in Terra Indigena Krahôlandia, a remote Indigenous community in the state of Tocantins. We received a warm and shared open dialogue with village leaders who spoke of their desires to sustain their traditional culture despite modern day influences. We experienced and were invited to participate in traditional games and dances, which enhanced our overwhelming respect for their community.

Buddy Shapp who is employed by the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma stated, “The trip was a learning, moving, and rewarding experience. It was eye opening to hear from the various Indigenous peoples from across the States of Maranhão and Tocantins. In many ways, the Indigenous people of Brazil are being treated by the Brazilian government, the way Native Americans were being treated 100150 years ago.” Shapp further added, “Hopefully the six of us from the U. S. were able to impart a small amount of information to help the Indigenous Brazilians and the organizations that support them, such as CTI and ISPN, in their plight.”

At the conclusion of the gathering, representatives from the organizing organizations reflected on the triumphs of the event and began preliminary discussion on the possibilities of hosting a similar exchange with all the participants in the future. NAFWS representatives also collectively identified items to present to the Board of Directors that may potentially benefit the Indigenous communities of Brazil, including, a Letter of Support that can be used for current litigation relative to land designation and/or recognition, possible consideration of “Sister City” program with a U.S. Tribe, exchange for Fire and Crime Scene Investigation Training to address the exploitation issues and potential support for specialized equipment.

“This exchange between Native Americans and the Indigenous people of Brazil was a very incredible, yet humbling experience. All of our NAFWS representatives gained and abundant amount of knowledge of the challenges and ca- pacity deficiencies faced by Indigenous Braziliansmuch like our ancestors experienced in the not so distance past,” said NAFWS Conservation Law Enforcement Officer Consultant Robert Romero. “I am grateful to have had an opportunity to represent the NAFWS in such a sensational event, and I look forward to future collaboration with our South American partners.” https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl1-nHrK4__/? igshid=MDVlOGU2MWU= https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl4cZceqT2T/? igshid=Nzg3Njl1NGl= https://www.instagram.com/reel/Cl7IQbcIBkB/? igshid=MDVlOGU2MWU= https://www.instagram.com/p/ClT9kxLOEqp/ (Instagram CTI) https://trabalhoindigenista.org.br/dialogos-indigenasprotecao-territorial/ (Site) https://www.facebook.com/120476701373768/posts/ pfbid021rJnZ16d4LUtMCgireExfooSXEyeA9rHBUKmoAP7tNurDHDALzmMEkCiNUUFrHWKl/?mibextid=Nif5oz (Facebook CTI)

In December, Xaa-wan’ -k’wvt Head Start had a wonderful week full of winter festival fun. We had a festive spirit week hosted by our parent committee as well as a stocking drawing. Head start children received gifts and listened to Christmas stories from Mr. and Mrs. Clause. The students and staff walked over to the main tribal office to judge TDN’s employee winter door decorating concert as well as received gifts from every door. They sang two Christmas songs as well as received candy canes from Santa. Also, each child received a jacket from KCRE coats for kids donation.

We are very thankful for the participation from every department and our wonder Parent Committees and fellow Tolowa Dee-ni’ Nation employees that made this past holiday season special for our Xaa-wan’ -k’wvt Head Start staff and students. Shu’ shaa-nin-la! (Thank you)

Seven 20 yard bins and one 30 yard bin were completely filled and materials were separated out appropriately:

• About 48.5 tons of solid waste and recyclable materials from Tribal Citizens.

• A total of 82 vehicles and trailer loads of solid waste were brought by Tribal Citizens during this 1 day event. 62 from Del Norte County and 20 from Curry County.

Thank you to staff

Each year we partner with different companies to make sure that the waste being thrown away is taken to the right facility.

This year we worked with 4 local companies:

• Recology was contracted for solid waste bins and hauling.

• The Del Norte Solid Waste Management Authority was contracted to dispose of the solid waste.

• Humboldt Moving and Storage- mattresses and box springs were delivered to facility in Crescent City and they were recycled for free through the California Government mattress recycling program, Bye Bye Mattress. This is a free resource that can be accessed for anybody throughout the year. Call (707) 846-3923 for more questions

• Wes' Towing, in Brookings, was used to dispose of the metal for free. Call 541-254-0992 if you have any questions.