Suquamish Tribe gets ready for climate change impacts

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The Suquamish Tribe is launching a groundbreaking Climate Resiliency Program aimed at preparing the tribal community for the impacts of climate change while reducing the tribe’s contribution to global warming and enhancing the well-being of tribal families.

The Suquamish Tribe plans to convert some of its fleet to electric vehicles, including an EV car share program for tribal members. Solar power systems like this one at Chief Kitsap Academy will be installed on government buildings and tribal member homes.

Spearheaded by the Tribe’s Natural Resources Department under the Treaty Rights Protection Division, the program is harnessing a wellspring of federal and state grants designed to spur green energy efforts. In its first few months, the program has already secured more than $4 million in funding, and has applied for $14 million more.

“This program is about ensuring our community can bounce back from climate hazards like increased temperatures, extreme precipitation, drought, and sea level rise,” said Hannah Ljunggren, the Climate Team’s program manager, during a recent Lunchtime Forum for tribal members.

Energy-efficient heating and cooling
Among the first initiatives set to be rolled out to the tribal community are ductless heat pumps in tribal homes. The systems, also known as mini splits, offer an energy efficient way to both heat and cool homes, reducing costs for residents. Initially, the program will prioritize on-reservation tribal Elders, with plans to expand to more tribal member homes as additional grant funding is secured.

Ductless heat pumps are a game-changer for the community, said Ljunggren, who brings experience from similar programs in Olympia and Bainbridge Island. “They provide efficient heating and cooling without the need for disruptive ductwork, helping households become more resilient to extreme weather events.”

In addition to installing heat pumps at no cost, crews will also provide weatherization services to seal off gaps around windows and doors and other spaces where leaky airflow can rob efficiency. Households will be able to keep their wood burning stoves.

Solar power for sustainable energy
Another significant aspect of the program is the installation of solar systems on tribal government buildings and, eventually, on tribal member homes. This initiative aims to lower energy costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and provide backup power during outages.

“We’ve already seen solar installations at the Family & Friends Center and Chief Kitsap Academy,” said Annie Smaus, a climate resilience program specialist, until recently with the tribe’s Grants Department. “These projects not only reduce our environmental impact but also ensure that our community has reliable energy sources during emergencies.”

The House of Awakened Culture and the Tribal Administration Building will likely be the next government buildings to get outfitted with solar panels and battery systems. Tribal rental homes managed by Community Development with good sun exposure will follow as funding is secured.

Transition to electric vehicles
To further reduce carbon emissions, the tribe is converting some of its government fleet to electric vehicles. A new car share program will allow tribal members to check out EVs for personal use, promoting clean transportation within the community. The team may then expand to electric bikes and scooters.

Charging stations will be installed at various locations around the reservation.

Community-driven climate action
The team’s work is rooted in community engagement. A Climate Working Group, consisting of representatives from various tribal committees and government departments, guided the creation of a Priority Climate Action Plan. This plan, which includes measures to analyze and reduce greenhouse gas emissions, provided the foundation for the funding proposals that are gaining support for these efforts.

Education and community involvement are critical to the program’s success. Jennie Harlan, the Climate Program’s education outreach specialist, is tasked with ensuring that community members are informed and engaged.
“We need your input to make this work,” said Harlan during the Lunchtime Forum. “My job is to provide you with the information you need about the tribe’s climate projects and ensure there are consistent opportunities for your feedback.”

The program will also emphasize workforce development, offering opportunities for tribal members to gain skills in installing and maintaining latest green technologies.

Looking ahead
As the program continues to evolve, the Suquamish Tribe remains committed to its long-term vision of sustainability and resilience. Future initiatives will include additional educational programs, workshops, and partnerships with local organizations to enhance the program’s reach and impact.

“Climate change can be a little scary, but with community support, it becomes an exciting opportunity to shape a sustainable future for ourselves and future generations,” said Forum host and Suquamish Tribal member Rosie Bayes. “We want our descendants to live on these lands, fish in these waters, and harvest medicinal plants from our forests. So this work is very exciting and very much needed.”

By Jon Anderson

Chairman Forsman calls for local action on climate change

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To Suquamish Tribal citizens, families, and staff,

Climate change has affected us all in many ways.  Summers are much hotter, and rising water temperatures threaten our ecosystems.  I’m writing to you because of our need to take action here in our homeland as the impacts of climate change inevitably get worse. Federal and state government, local utilities, private foundations, and intertribal organizations have funding available to invest in climate change adaptation and carbon reduction strategies. These opportunities mean our tribal nation could get the resources we need to assure our tribal nation survives, and even thrives, as this crisis unfolds.

To do this, we need your help.

From tribal citizens, we need your input. We will be setting priorities as part of the planning and implementation of climate solutions that will impact our community for years into the future. We need to know what is important to you, how you want to see things change, and where you don’t want to see things change as we respond to this crisis. Your input will help us create a plan that will best serve our tribal families for generations to come. Please respond to requests from the team working on this project on behalf of the Suquamish Tribe.

From tribal staff, we need your active participation in carrying out these priorities. The climate crisis will affect virtually everything we do as a tribal nation. We plan to focus on reducing our own carbon footprint and on building our resilience so we can survive and thrive in spite of the changes in temperature, ocean conditions, economics, well-being, health, and so on.  Solar panels and electric vehicles are familiar opportunities, but there are other actions we can pursue, and we look forward to your suggestions as well.

Our Office of Emergency Management in collaboration with the Treaty Rights Division is taking the lead on this planning, but they will be calling on many others to be part of this process. I ask that you respond when asked and help do the necessary planning and implementation.

Our goals are both to prepare our nation for this unfolding crisis, and to tap the federal resources now available that can help us reduce our climate footprint and prepare to weather the coming storms.

Sincerely,

Leonard Forsman

CKA powers up Carving Den with new solar array

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Chief Kitsap Academy is showcasing Suquamish Tribe’s traditional values with a modern twist at the school’s new Carving Den. Thanks to a $39,000 grant from Puget Sound Energy’s Green Power program, the academy’s new solar array is now online, illuminating the way towards a greener future while honoring age-old traditions.

This cutting-edge addition to Chief Kitsap Academy’s campus comprises solar panels that harness the power of the sun, providing clean energy totaling 11.8 kilowatts. The array is not only another practical symbol of sustainability, but also serves as a tribute to the tribe’s rich cultural heritage, where respect for the environment has been ingrained for generations.

“The Suquamish Tribe is proud to partner with PSE to illuminate our Carving Den through the power of the sun,” said Brenda Guerrero, Director of the tribe’s Education Division. “This endeavor aligns with our traditional values of environmental stewardship, where we strive to care for our lands and resources as our ancestors did. It’s a testament to our commitment to a sustainable future for our community and the environment.”

 

The Suquamish Tribe has been at the forefront of adopting solar power in Kitsap County. Last year, the tribe installed its first solar array at the Family & Friends/Fitness Center complex with another PSE grant. Applications are in the works for several additional solar projects across tribal government.

 

The Carving Den serves as a space where students, staff, and tribal community mentors come together to learn and preserve traditional carving techniques. “The integration of solar power underscores the idea that tradition and innovation can coexist harmoniously, highlighting both our adaptability and resilience,” said Guerrero.