 - The Greater Yellowstone Coalition is partnering with the national Native Organizers Alliance to offer a “Grassroots to Governance” open training session this weekend in Arapahoe.){kind=link}
(Arapahoe, WY) – The Greater Yellowstone Coalition is partnering with the national Native Organizers Alliance to offer a “Grassroots to Governance” open training session this weekend in Arapahoe.
The training focuses on the Wind River Reservation, which is “very unique, with two Tribes, one Reservation, and no constitution,” according to the event description.
“What does this mean to the sovereign authority and governance of the Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho?” the description states. “The WRIR is blessed with water, land, timber, energy, mineral resources, fisheries, wildlife, lakes, rivers, and streams. How does our governance and the working relationship between the two Tribes function to take advantage of JOINT resources and make the good decisions required to strengthen families and communities?”
Attendees at the weekend session will hear answers to those questions and more during the “fun and fact-filled day of information and food,” the description states.
The training is from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, May 31, at Great Plains Hall, 11 Great Plains Road in Arapahoe.
Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
To RSVP, click here.
Series
The NOA Training Team visited the Wind River Reservation earlier this spring to prepare for the upcoming training, which is intended to be the first in a series of training events designed to “further support the community’s efforts to organize,” according to a recent news release.
The Training Team visit is “an integral part” of the NOA protocol, aimed at “engaging with the community to better understand local issues and how we can tailor our training to meet the specific needs of the community,” the press release states.
“The visit yielded valuable insights into the dynamics of the unique ecosystem, culture and protocols of the Wind River community,” the press release states. “Feedback from local community members highlighted the importance of incorporating treaties, sovereignty, Tribal governance, advocacy and organizing tools into our training.”
The Training Team also learned about “the significance of buffalo in Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapahoe culture” during their visit, “emphasizing the need for a respectful and informed approach to conservation that honors traditional practices,” the press release states.
“This aligns with our commitment to ecological efforts but also acknowledges the cultural identity of the community,” the press release states. “This pre-training site visit was a crucial step in building trust and understanding with the Wind River community. Moving forward, it is essential that we integrate the feedback and perspectives gathered during this visit into the training. By doing so, we can ensure that our initiatives not only support ecological objectives but also empower indigenous voices and enhance cultural resilience.”