The Changing Environment & The Columbia River Treaty

This 2 day symposium is co-hosted by Northwest Indian College and Western Washington University and brings together Tribal and First Nations leaders, government representatives, non-government organizations, academics, and private industry to address the modernization of the Columbia River Treaty.

Specifically, this symposium will inform CRT negotiators from the United States and representatives of Canada on issues related to hydrology, electric energy, flood risk/management, and environmental and ecosystem services.  Underscored by the goal of moving the negotiations forward, panels are centered on the overarching theme of ‘how is the future going to be unlike the past.’

The symposium is open to the public.  You can register at https://wp.wwu.edu/crt/register/

The symposium is supported by the Western Washington University's Institute for Energy Studies, Huxley College of Environmental Studies, the Border Policy Institute, and the Northwest Indian College Native Environmental Science.
The Gaenda:
 

Wednesday, February 22
Northwest Indian College, Bellingham, WA

1:00 p.m. –  Cultural Welcome

1:15 p.m.  –  Welcome from NWIC President Justin Guillory

1:20 p.m.  –  Keynote welcome from Senator Maria Cantwell

1:30 p.m. –  Presentation on the history of the Columbia River Treaty; how a new negotiation frames new governance; inclusion of agreements into the renewal of the CRT

2:30 p.m. – Presentation on the history and the vision of an extended treaty from the perspectives of Columbia Basin Tribes and First Nations.

3:30 p.m. – Break

3:45 p.m. – Panel on Hydrology and Future Impacts

5:45 p.m. – Social Gathering

6:15 p.m. – Salmon Dinner and program of reflections on the Columbia River by Tribal leaders.

Thursday, February 23
Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA

8:00 a.m. –  Welcome from WWU President Sabah Randhawa

8:05 a.m.  –  Panel on Electric Energy

10:00 a.m. – Break

10:15 a.m. – Panel on Eco System-Based Functions and Environment

12:15 p.m. – Break for lunch

1:15 p.m. – Panel on Irrigation/Flood Control

3:45 p.m. – Concluding Takeaways for the Negotiators

4:00 p.m. –  Closing Remarks