We were delighted to have an excellent quarterly ICC Board Meeting on Monacan Indian Nation lands last week bringing together Tribal Nations at Sweet Briar College. Somehow we all got the signal to wear blue in our attempts to stay cool during a historic heat wave!
Not pictured but participating virtually: our Vice Chair Chief Frank Adams (Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe), our newest Board member Chief Joanne Howard (Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division) and Jessica Phillips (environmental director and citizen of the Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division). Thank you to Ruth Hennaman for taking our photo!
This meeting created an opportunity for us to share successes and challenges in rematriation and support training and capacity building for Tribal Nations. Some successes we'd like to share here:
The Nansemond Indian Nation is celebrating the formal transfer of Mattanock Town to their full custody and stewardship thanks to the partnership of Ducks Unlimited and a successful vote by the City of Suffolk Council. Read more here on this tremendous achievement that has been 14 years in the making!
The next Virginia Natural Resources Leadership Institute Class of 2025 will include representation from three Tribal Nations: Cameron Bruce (Environmental Director, Nansemond Indian Nation), John Pierce (Environmental Director, Monacan Indian Nation), and Bobbie Todd (Policy and Planning Coordinator, Rappahannock Tribe). This program includes proud alumni Dana Adkins (Chickahominy Indian Tribe) and Jessica Phillips (Chickahominy Indian Tribe-Eastern Division), both who serve as respective environmental directors for their Tribal Nations.
Tribal Nations have welcomed new environmental staff and promotions including:
The Pamunkey Indian Tribe has promoted Joseph Capella as its new Natural Resources Director, and welcomes Nicole Holmes Brooks (Penobscot-Passamaquoddy Tribe) as its new Environmental coordinator.
The Upper Mattaponi Indian Tribe has promoted Andria Green as its new Environmental Director.
We would like to thank our guest speakers including:
Animikii's CEO and founder Jeff Ward (Ojibwe) and COO David Pereira (Samoa) who joined us from British Colombia to share refreshing solution for data sovereignty. We are delighted to begin a partnership with Animikii to build solutions for Tribal Nations that both support data sovereignty and build tribal capacity to protect sacred sites and homelands. (Want to learn more about data sovereignty? Check out Animikii's e-book!) They also shared wonderful Thunderbird blankets with all attendees and guest speakers which was incredibly meaningful, thoughtful and gracious.
Our wonderful trainer for the day, Peg Kohring Cichon, who shared her expertise with us all on conservation easements acquired over four decades and through working relationships with Tribal Nations. Peg facilitated a deft session wading through the technical specificity of a 15 page conservation easement with us and brainstormed opportunities to better uphold sovereignty moving forward.
Michaela Pavlat (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians), the Mid-Atlantic Indigenous Partnerships Field Representative for the National Parks and Conservation Association, joined us in a dialogue on partnerships and best practices with Tribal Nations and the National Park Service over lunch.
We capped off our meeting with a tour of Monacan lands. What a lovely time! Even the triple digit temperatures couldn't put a damper on our delight in being in community and learning together. Thank you to everyone for joining us!
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