Fond du Lac 'Water in a Time of Climate Change' event

Les GIbbs
Les Gibbs, a pow wow emcee, emceed the Celebrating Water in a Time of Climate Change | Fond du Lac Water Gathering | Nagaajiwanaang Nibi Maawanji'idim, Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at the Black Bear Casino and Resort in Carlton, Minn.
Eamon Coyne for MPR News

Scientists, elders and community members from the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa spoke recently at a gathering entitled, "Water in a Time of Climate Change."

Nearly half of the Fond du Lac tribal lands are wetlands. These vital and sensitive areas are vulnerable to the severe weather events and other impacts of climate change.

The Fond du Lac Water Gathering was an opportunity for the Fond du Lac community and others from around Minnesota to hear about the science, the adaptation plans and the rich traditional ways that protect water and other resources.

Les Gibbs, an accomplished pow wow emcee, facilitated the evening. Nikki Crowe opened the event. She is the coordinator of the Thirteen Moons Program for the Fond du Lac Tribal College Extension Program.

"Water in a Time of Climate Change" is a collaboration between the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Resource Management Division and MPR News. It was produced by Nikki Crowe, Melissa Townsend, Kate Moos and Les Gibbs, with funding from the McKnight Foundation. Technical director was MPR's Corey Schreppel.

Special thanks to Wayne Dupuis, Mike Munnell, Julian Kitto, Lyz Jakala, Karen Savage Blue, Dan Huculak and Reggie DeFoe. Thank you to the Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa for their generous participation.

To listen to selected pieces from the event, click the audio player above.

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