National Tribal Forum

2010 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality Management and Policy

We're happy to report that the 2010 National Tribal Forum on Air Quality was very successful. With over 160 registrants (up from 110 last year!), great facilities, and first-time-ever participation by EPA Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy, the words "best NTF yet" were heard often. Highlights included:

A presentation on National Tribal Air Quality Priorities by the NTAA Executive Committee
An excellent keynote address by none other than OAR Assistant Administrant Gina McCarthy
Powerful discussions on the impacts of Uranium Mining and Climate Change on Tribes
Presentations on the connection between Air Quality and Health Effects
Updates on EPA Rules and Climate Change legislation and the potential impact to Tribes
Breakout Sessions on:
- Sustainable Energy & Climate Change
- Tribal Ambient Air Quality Projects
- Indoor Air Quality/Ambient Air Outreach Projects
- EPA Rule Updates
Opportunities for meaningful interaction with Tribes, Federal agencies, and Tribal Organizations during the Eco-Cafe.

Click here for the documents and presentations from the 2010 NTF.

Congratulations to Toni Richards of the Bishop Paiute Tribe - the 2010 recipient of the Virgil Masayesva Award!

Thanks and Appreciation to the many presenters and organizers who made it all possible!

Please check ITEP's website for more information and pictures.

Planning for the 2011 NTF is already under way... it will be held somewhere in the Pacific Northwest area - if you have a suggested facility, please let us know.

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2009 National Tribal Forum: Summary

Monday, 04 January 2010 00:00 | Written by Stephen Hartsfield |

The National Tribal Forum (NTF) conference on Air Quality Management and Policy was held June 2 – 4, 2009 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, at the Forest County Potawatomi’s conference facilities. This year’s NTF conference was the third consecutive year that the National Tribal Air Association (NTAA) and the Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals (ITEP) jointly hosted the meeting. The Forest County Pottawatomi Tribe served as host for the conference.

Approximately 110 people attended the conference. A total of 49 tribes were represented at the conference along with 5 EPA regional offices and EPA headquarters, 3 Inter-Tribal Councils, several federal agencies, and other non-governmental organizations. The total includes staff of ITEP and NTAA.

Examples of the topics this year at the NTF conference included:

Air Quality, Public Health and Environmental Protection
Importance of Quality Assurance and Auditing for Tribal Programs
Indoor Air Quality, Radon and Public Health
Tribal and USEPA Initiative on Climate Change

The final Agenda (hyperlink to PDF of conference agenda) is available.

Power Point presentations delivered at the conference can be downloaded on the ITEP NTF website.

The 2009 recipient of the 2009 Virgil Masayesva Environmental Excellence Award was the Forest County Potawatomi Tribe for being granted Class I air status for the Tribe’s Reservation located in Northern Wisconsin. The annual award is presented by ITEP in memory of their co-founder.

Recipients of the 2009 Virgil Masayesva Environmental Excellence Award: (L to R) Joe Cebe and Natalene Cummings with the Forest County Potawatomi’s environmental program and Jeff Crawford , Attorney General for the Tribe.

National Tribal Air Association