Thursday, August 29, 2013
Dear Tribal Member,
The Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe Environmental Department, the University of Arizona, and the
University of Nevada Las Vegas are inviting community members and employees of the Pyramid Lake
Paiute Tribe to participate in a study entitled “Climate Change Vulnerability of Native Americans in
the Southwest.” This study is being done to learn more about the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe’s
vulnerabilities to climate change and explore how the tribe might adapt to climate change impacts in the
future. This study is funded by the United States Geological Survey Southwest Climate Science Center.
Participants in this study will attend a two–day Climate Change Planning Workshop from 9:00 AM to
4:00 PM on Wednesday, September 25th and Thursday, September 26th, 2013 at the Nixon Gym in
Nixon, NV. This FREE workshop will provide opportunities to collaborate and exchange information
about climate-related challenges affecting the water, environment, and community of Pyramid Lake.
Lunch will be provided on both days and participants will be eligible to win door prizes. The entire
workshop will be recorded (audio only). You may be asked to participate in a follow-up interview at a
later time and date that is convenient for you.
In order to participate in the Climate Change Planning Workshop, please carefully review the
attached application forms and submit them by Monday, September 16, 2013. Applications may be
submitted either by email (email addresses below), with the Internet link provided on page 2, by mailing
the forms to Olin Anderson (address below), or by turning them in directly to Olin Anderson at the
PLPT Environmental Department office in Nixon, NV.
Please contact Olin Anderson or Schuyler Chew with questions and visit our Facebook page at
https://www.facebook.com/nativeadaptation for the latest updates on the workshop.
Thank you in advance for your participation in this exciting opportunity to learn about how climate
change may impact the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.
Best regards,
Olin Anderson
Water Quality Standards Specialist
Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, Environmental Dept.
P.O. Box 256, Nixon, NV 89424
(775) 574-0101 ext. 19
oanderson@plpt.nsn.us
Schuyler Chew
Research Analyst
Dept. of Soil, Water &Environmental Sciences
University of Arizona
(716) 523-6710
esschew@gmail.com
Climate Change Planning Workshop Application
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 & Thursday, September 26, 2013 at Nixon Gym, Nixon, NV
Complete all parts of this form and submit by September 16, 2013. Please type or print clearly.
**Applications must be approved in order to attend the workshop**
You may complete this application online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/climatechangeworkshop
Name (Mr./Mrs./Ms.)
Title
Tribe and/or Organization
Department
Mailing Address
City
State
Primary phone
ZIP Code
Alternate phone
Email
Emergency Contact Name and Phone
The workshop coordinators may take pictures for reports, presentations, web pages, brochures, and other
materials to promote the work of the Southwest Climate Science Center. Please indicate your preference:
YES, I authorize the coordinators to use pictures
of me taken during the workshop
NO, I do not authorize the coordinators to use
pictures of me taken during the workshop
*Your signature is REQUIRED to attend. Electronic signatures are sufficient if submitting by email.
I verify that I have read and understand all enclosed statements. I agree to complete the pre-workshop
assignments, commit to both days of the workshop, and participate to the best of my ability. I understand that I
may be ineligible for lunch and/or door prizes if I do not commit to the entire workshop.
Printed name:
Signature:
Date:
Page 2
Climate Change Planning Workshop Application
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 & Thursday, September 26, 2013 at Nixon Gym, Nixon, NV
Pre-Workshop Assignment Part 1: Please answer the following questions to the best of your ability.
You may complete this assignment online at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/climatechangeworkshop
1. Please write your name and your affiliation with the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and any other tribe. Also,
please note if you live on tribal land.
2. What specific environmental topics or questions would you like the presenters to cover in the workshop?
3. Briefly describe any local environmental changes that you have observed on tribal lands and the areas
surrounding Pyramid Lake. If possible, please provide any evidence for these changes.
Continued on next page
Page 3
Climate Change Planning Workshop Application
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 & Thursday, September 26, 2013 at Nixon Gym, Nixon, NV
4. Ecological indicators are any environmental measurements that can be monitored in order to better
understand a change in the environment. Briefly list any ecological indicators that should be monitored to
address the changes that you listed in question 3. Please try to write your answer like this example:
“Change: I noticed that the lake water has been getting warmer each spring since I was a teenager.
Ecological Indicators: Water temperatures of Truckee River and Pyramid Lake”
Pre-Workshop Assignment Part 2: Please read the fact sheet summary of “Chapter 17: Unique Challenges
facing Southwestern Tribes” and watch the following two videos before September 25, 2013.
1.
2.
3.
Read the Fact sheet http://www.swcarr.arizona.edu/sites/default/files/ACCSWUS_Ch17_Factsheet.pdf
Watch the video presentation by Dr. Margaret Hiza Redsteer on Chapter 17 (from 29:22 to 45:28) at
http://vimeo.com/55567078
Watch the video presentation by Dr. Karletta Chief at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SYqKVA3LY50
If you would like more information about climate change impacts to tribes, please see the following articles:
Gautam, M. R., K. Chief, and W. J. Smith Jr. (2013) “Climate Change in arid lands and Native American socioeconomic
vulnerability: The case of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe.” Climatic Change. Special Issue on “Climate Change and
Indigenous Peoples in the United States: Impacts, Experiences, and Actions,” edited by Julie Koppel Maldonado, Rajul E.
Pandya, and Benedict J. Colombi. Available at: http://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs10584-013-0737-0
Redsteer, M. H., K. Bemis, K. Chief, M. Gautam, B. R. Middleton, and R. Tsosie. (2013). “Unique Challenges Facing
Southwestern Tribes.” In Assessment of Climate Change in the Southwest United States: A Report Prepared for the National
Climate Assessment, edited by G. Garfin, A. Jardine, R. Merideth, M. Black, and S. LeRoy, 385–404. A report by the
Southwest Climate Alliance. Washington, DC: Island Press. Available at: http://www.swcarr.arizona.edu/chapter/17
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Climate Change Planning Workshop Application
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 & Thursday, September 26, 2013 at Nixon Gym, Nixon, NV
Draft Workshop Agenda
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
8:45 AM
Morning refreshments available
9:00 AM
Opening Prayer
9:15 AM
Welcome, Facilitator Introductions, and Participant Introductions*
10:00 AM
Overview of Workshop Goals
10:10 AM
Exercise 1: Brainstorming & Prioritizing Challenges
10:30 AM
BREAK*
10:45 AM
Exercise 1: Brainstorming & Prioritizing Challenges (continued)
11:40 AM
BREAK
12:00 PM
Working Lunch (provided): Presentation on Pyramid Lake Ecology and Fish Migration*
12:50 PM
Open Discussion on Exercise 1
1:30 PM
Presentation on Climate Change Impacts on Native people
2:00 PM
BREAK*
2:15 PM
Presentations by USGS and USFWS representatives
3:45 PM
Trivia winners announced and door prize raffle
4:00 PM
End of Day 1
Thursday, September 26, 2013
8:45 AM
Morning refreshments available
9:00 AM
Opening Prayer
9:15 AM
Open Discussion of Exercise 1 Results*
9:45 AM
Presentation on Past Climate Change Research Efforts with PLPT
10:15 AM
BREAK*
10:30 AM
Exercise 2: Brainstorming Potential Management Alternatives
11:45 AM
BREAK
12:00 PM
Working Lunch (provided): Presentation TBD*
1:00 PM
Exercise 2: Brainstorming Potential Management Alternatives (continued)
2:00 PM
Open discussion on Exercise 2
2:45 PM
BREAK*
3:00 PM
Open discussion for final comments, questions, and feedback
3:45 PM
Trivia winners announced and final door prize raffle
4:00 PM
End of Day 2
*Short trivia sessions will take place at the start of both days and immediately after each break/lunch.
Participants must be present for all trivia sessions to be eligible for door prize raffles.
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Climate Change Planning Workshop Application
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 & Thursday, September 26, 2013 at Nixon Gym, Nixon, NV
The University of Arizona Consent to Participate in Research
Study Title: Climate Change Vulnerability of Native Americans in the Southwest
Principal Investigator: Karletta Chief
Sponsor: U.S. Geological Survey
This is a consent form for research participation. It contains important information about this study
and what to expect if you decide to participate. Please consider the information carefully. Feel free to
discuss the study with your friends and family and to ask questions before making your decision whether
or not to participate.
1. Why is this study being done?
This study is being done in order to learn more about the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe’s vulnerabilities
and abilities to adapt to climate change.
2. How many people will take part in this study?
We hope to interview 20 employees of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe and 10 members of the tribal
council. All community members are welcome to participate in this study. We will also interview
approximately 15 water resource management professionals from outside the tribe in order to
understand the regional water sustainability situation.
3. What will happen if I take part in this study?
You will be asked to participate in a focus group along with tribal employees and tribal council
members. The focus group will take place over a two-day period. We will ask the whole group
questions about climate change impacts in the region, how the tribe is currently responding to those
impacts, and any future plans the tribe has for climate change adaptation activities.
Tribal employees may also be asked to participate in an individual interview. Interview questions
will focus on specific activities your department or organization is undertaking to respond or adapt
to climate change.
One final interview will take place at the end of the project and involve questions about your
experiences working with the team of university researchers.
We will record (audio only) the focus groups and interviews.
4. How long will I be in the study?
The study will last from March 1, 2013 until September 30, 2014. Focus groups will be conducted in
September of 2013 and will take approximately 2 working days of your time. One-on-one
interviews will take place in the Fall of 2013 and will take approximately 1 hour of your time.
Follow-up interviews will take place in Spring 2014 and will take approximately 1 hour of your
time.
Continued on next page
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Climate Change Planning Workshop Application
Wednesday, September 25, 2013 & Thursday, September 26, 2013 at Nixon Gym, Nixon, NV
The University of Arizona Consent to Participate in Research
5. Can I stop being in the study?
Your participation is voluntary. You may refuse to participate in this study. If you decide to take
part in the study, you may leave the study at any time. Simply inform Karletta Chief
(kchief@email.arizona.edu; 520-626-5598) that you do not wish to participate any longer.
For questions about your rights as a participant in this study or to discuss other study-related
concerns or complaints with someone who is not part of the research team, you may contact the
Human Subjects Protection Program at 520-626-6721 or online at http://orcr.arizona.edu/hspp.
No matter what decision you make, there will be no penalty to you and you will not lose any of your
usual benefits. Your decision will not affect your future relationship with The University of
Arizona. If you are a student or employee at the University of Arizona, your decision will not affect
your grades or employment status.
6. What risks, side effects or discomforts can I expect from being in the study?
There are no anticipated risks to participation in this study. We will schedule all focus groups and
interviews at times and locations convenient to participants.
7. What benefits can I expect from being in the study?
There are no individual benefits expected from this study. We hope that your participation will help
the researchers to work with the PLPT to improve their ability to adapt to climate change.
8. Will my study-related information be kept confidential?
Efforts will be made to keep your study-related information confidential. However, there may be
circumstances where this information must be released. For example, personal information
regarding your participation in this study may be disclosed if required by state law.
Also, your records may be reviewed by the following groups (as applicable to the research):



Office for Human Research Protections or other federal, state, or international regulatory
agencies
The University of Arizona Institutional Review Board or Office of Responsible Research
Practices
The sponsor supporting the study, their agents or study monitors
9. What are the costs of taking part in this study?
There are no costs associated with taking part in this study.
10. What are my rights if I take part in this study?
You will be provided with any new information that develops during the course of the research that
may affect your decision whether or not to continue participation in the study.
An Institutional Review Board responsible for human subjects research at The University of Arizona
reviewed this research project and found it to be acceptable, according to applicable state and federal
regulations and University policies designed to protect the rights and welfare of participants in
research.
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