UCI to host conference on Native American tribes’ most urgent environmental issues

EVENT: UCI will host the first gathering of chiefs, governors and presidents of indigenous sovereign nations within the U.S.

WHEN/WHERE: 12:30-5:30 p.m. Monday, May 22, at the Arnold & Mabel Beckman Center of the National Academies of Science & Engineering, 100 Academy Drive, on campus

INFORMATION: Free and open to the public. Media planning to attend should RSVP to Pat Harriman at 949-824-9055 or pharrima@uci.edu. Parking is complimentary.

BACKGROUND: Tribal leaders have been invited to speak about the most urgent environmental issues confronting their people, such as access to clean water, the effects of natural resource extraction, habitat destruction, the impact of climate change, wildlife and fisheries reductions, the disruption of ecosystems, and usurpation of sovereignty, and territorial claims. Native American faculty in law, environmental studies and history, as well as directors of American Indian studies and associations, from all UC and CSU campuses will also take part in the conference. For more information: http://newkirkcenter.uci.edu/