Tribal Water Summit Proceedings: California Indigenous Rights, Uses, and Management of Land and Water (2013)

Two hundred representatives from California Native American Tribes, Federal and State agencies, and Native American organizations participated in the 2013 California Tribal Water Summit.

This event continued key concepts discussed at the 2009 Tribal Water Summit:

»» Tribal Ecological Knowledge (TEK) – emphasizing greater respect for, and understanding of, Tribal knowledge and its value in resource management;
»» Indigenous Rights to Water – focusing on the broader context and
relationships between Tribes and water; and
»»Watershed Management and Land Use – looking at the integration of TEK and indigenous water rights with local, regional and statewide watershed efforts and projects which affect Tribal communities, trust lands and homelands.

Three plenary speakers were featured during the Summit. On the first day, Heather Whiteman Runs Him, Staff Attorney for the Native American Rights Fund, discussed Tribal water rights principles and approaches. On the second day, Felicia Marcus, Board Chair for the State Water Board, reflected on the importance of establishing and maintaining relationships between agencies and Tribes. Also on the second day, Cynthia Gomez, Tribal Advisor to the Governor, provided an overview on the work of the Tribal Advisor’s Office.

On Day 1, opening remarks were offered by John Laird, Secretary for the California Natural Resources Agency, and Dale Hoffman-Floerke, Chief Deputy Director for the California Department of Water Resources (DWR).   Mr. Laird highlighted the efforts within the Resources Agency to better balance historic rights with multiple needs and interests. He shared the experiences from the MLPA Initiative, and described the adoption of the Tribal consultation policy and creation of the Tribal liaison positions. Ms. Hoffman-Floerke called attention to the TWS Guiding Principles and Statement of Goals for Implementation, which are supported by the Resources Agency and DWR. She described the 2013 TWS as succession planning, which supports the continuity of awareness, understanding and relationships from the 2009 TWS.