For information regarding indigenous action on addressing and improving the environment that we all must share, please click on links below to see current and past efforts involving the country’s Native American community.
DOWNLOAD PDF HERE : Native Voices Newsletter – June 2021
This issue provides highlights of the 2021 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality (NTFAQ), including recognition of the Virgil Masayesva Award recipients and a fond farewell to EPA’s Laura McKelvey. Also noted is information on the 2021 Status of Tribal Air Report (STAR).
Past issues can be found at http://www7.nau.edu/itep/main/About/itep_Newsletters#nv.
The June 2021 issue features:
• Recap: 2021 Virtual National Tribal Forum on Air Quality
(NTFAQ)
• Recipients of the 2020 and 2021 Virgil Masayesva Tribal Air
Programs Excellence Award
• EPA’s Laura McKelvey Leaves a Legacy of Stewardship and Friendship
• 2021 Status of Tribal Air Report (STAR)
The National Tribal Forum on Air Quality, or NTFAQ, is an annual gathering of professionals from tribes, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), governmental and non-governmental organizations, researchers and others seeking to share experiences in the field of air quality management. The Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP), the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA), and the Tribal Air Monitoring Support (TAMS) Center partner together to host this once-a-year gathering with the goal of increasing collaboration, connection, and idea-sharing among attendees.
However, the starting point of the pandemic last year presented one of many changes: the cancellation of in-person events and large gatherings. Although this resulted in postponing the 2020 NTFAQ, the planning committee took on the challenge to host the event online in 2021. The 2021 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality was held virtually from May 17 th to May 21 st.
Over six hundred (600) individuals registered and an average of one hundred (100) individuals attended the thirty-two (32) sessions. Breakout sessions and pre/post-trainings centered around various air topics. Other noteworthy sessions included recognition of the Virgil Masayesva Award recipients, a fond farewell to colleague and friend, Laura McKelvey, beading for beginners, a meet-n-greet with the Moms Clean Air Force, and a cultural exhibition of blow-dart making from a Muscogee Nation tribal member.
If you missed the event and are interested in viewing the session recordings, you can still create an account on the 2021 NTFAQ online platform to access the presentations. Thank you to all who attended and contributed to the event. We look forward to seeing you next year!
The California Valley Miwok Tribe
