The Institute for Tribal Environmental\u00a0Professionals at Northern Arizona University is celebrating its 20-year anniversary with a daylong celebration on Friday, Nov. 2, that reflects on two decades of service to tribes and looks ahead to new initiatives and programs.<\/p>\n
Since\u00a01992, ITEP\u00a0has\u00a0served tribes through culturally relevant\u00a0education and training programs that\u00a0increase environmental capacity and\u00a0strengthen sovereignty. The institute\u2019s work has involved numerous\u00a0projects and activities related to tribal air\u00a0quality, solid and hazardous\u00a0waste, climate change, emergency response and educational outreach.<\/p>\n
The day’s agenda includes a gathering from 9 a.m. to noon at the Native American Cultural Center, where the issue of climate change and its impacts on tribes will be addressed through presentations, films and a panel discussion. Guest speakers\u00a0include Margaret\u00a0Hiza-Redsteer, a staff researcher with the U.S. Geological Survey and member\u00a0of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, and attorney\u00a0Dean B. Suagee, a member of the Cherokee Nation who specializes in\u00a0environmental law and cultural heritage protection.<\/p>\n
From 1\u20134 p.m. at NAU\u2019s Cline\u00a0Library, ITEP co-founder and retired NAU professor\u00a0Bill Auberle<\/strong>\u00a0will present an historical overview of ITEP\u2019s 20-year history,\u00a0followed\u00a0by a re-signing of the Memorandum of Understanding between NAU and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that\u00a0formed the basis for ITEP\u2019s founding. Acclaimed\u00a0Native\u00a0American\u00a0author and\u00a0social activist Winona LaDuke also will take the podium for a dynamic\u00a0talk on indigenous issues.<\/p>\n The event will wrap-up back at the Native American Cultural Center from 4:30\u20136 p.m., with a reception and silent auction.<\/p>\n For information or to register for this free event, go to\u00a0www4.nau.edu\/itep\/20Anniversary\/<\/a>\u00a0or contact\u00a0Monica.Begaye@nau.edu<\/a>\u00a0or (928) 523-9555.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"