The 3rd National Tribal Conference on Environmental Management
will be hosted by the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of
the Flathead Nation (MT) on May 21-23, 1996. EPA's Office of
Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER) are conference
sponsors.
The conference will deal with problems that Native Americans face
in keeping their environment protected. As federally recognized
tribes experience increasing growth and regulatory demands, they
must confront complex environmental issues on safe drinking
water, clean air, waste water treatment, waste reduction, and
solid and hazardous waste disposal.
The conference will provide a forum for understanding and
dialogue among Tribes on current environmental concerns.
Conference sessions will discuss regulatory implementation issues
and scientific environmental practices. With this knowledge,
along with the traditional wisdom and values of their own
cultures, Tribes will become better educated on maintaining a
balance between economic development and environmental
protection.
This year's conference site is the Kwa Taq Nuk Resort in Polson,
MT located on beautiful Flathead Lake, just minutes away from
Glacier National Park (for those familar with AISES, see "Winds
of Change", Spring 1995 edition, pages 68-70). The resort is
located on the reservation, is tribally owned and operated, and
is situated between two major airports, Glacier International in
Kalispel and Missoula County International in Missoula.
The 3rd National Tribal Conference is designed to provide
information to anyone concerned with environmental issues facing
today's Indian people.
EXHIBITORS: An area will be available for up to 40 conference
exhibitors. All potential exhibitors are encouraged to
participate in the conference to display information, products,
or run interactive computer programs. Please reserve your space
early.
Previous exhibitors have included: EPA Program Offices, Tribal
Environmental Offices, National Tribal Environmental Council
(NTEC), Environmental Careers Organization (ECO), Private
Industry Eng. Firms, Dakota Travel, Cherokee Recycling (& over 50
more!!)
TOPICS: Conference planning is still underway. Please send or
facsimile any additional conference agenda topics that you (or
your tribe) would like to see at the conference in May. Every
topic suggestion is welcomed.
For More information, contact Bill Swaney of the Division of
Environmental Protection, Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribe at
406/675-2700 ext. 470 or fax 406/675-2713.