Program

This panel explores Water as First Sovereignty, a framework that centers Tribal authority, relationships, responsibilities, rights, and knowledge in shaping the state's water future. Panelists will discuss the recognition of Tribal beneficial uses of water, the role of Tribal governance in water policy, and the programs, partnerships, and campaigns advancing Tribal water sovereignty.

The Cultural Fire Stewardship panel will bring together five experienced fire practitioners from across the Sierra Nevada Bioregion to address what it takes to activate community engagement in cultural fire. The discussion will focus specifically on workforce development and implementation of cultural fire across communities.

Each of these leaders bring years of dedication, experience, and knowledge to be able to provide a diversity of perspectives on cultural fire –from fire protection to community health, to tending food, plants, and ecosystems.

Indigenous Peoples of the Sierra Nevada have cared for their lands and waters in reciprocal relationships that sustain culturally important foods and healthy ecosystems since time immemorial. Today, Tribal Nations continue to uphold their rights to food sovereignty and to tending the lands and waters that sustain their communities. This panel fosters dialogue among thought leaders championing Indigenous food systems on their ancestral lands, while navigating colonial systems and economic structures that conflict with Indigenous lifeways, knowledges, and cultures.

The Sierra Nevada bioregion is one of the most biologically & ecologically diverse areas in North America. Moreover, it is home to 41 federally recognized tribes and 30 non-federally recognized tribes whose stories, languages, and traditions are inextricably interwoven with our lands, waters, and more-than-human-kin. Historically, however, environmental economics have centered narrowly on species and habitat conservation, failing to account for the knowledges & cultural contexts of Native and Indigenous people.

The biocultural credit economy framework recenters relationality and reciprocity, incentivising conservation actions which center the knowledges, priorities, and wellbeing of Native communities. In this session, panelists will explore models, lessons learned, and best practices for developing holistic biocultural credit economies. Participants will reflect on how their institutions are evolving to become better partners in this emerging space, and how we might collectively move toward non-extractive, future-focused models of conservation finance.

This panel explores the intersection of Indigenous tourism and the creative economy, focusing on regenerative models deeply rooted in Indigenous knowledge. Moving beyond extractive tourism, panelists will discuss how Indigenous-led innovation can support long-term environmental and cultural stewardship while creating sustainable economic opportunities.

This panel includes emerging young Native leaders who are energizing their communities with diverse initiatives across the country. We call them Nation Builders. Nation Builder moderators from the day’s panel come together to share key insights, common themes, and emerging commitments across five interwoven topics: First Waters Governance, Cultural Fire Stewardship, Food Sovereignty, Biocultural Credit Economy and Indigenous Tourism & Creative Economy. This closing conversation will explore how the ideas and relationships developed throughout the Summit can inspire meaningful action.