Region 5 Tribal Partnership Groups

On this page:

E-Enterprise for the Environment
National EPA-Tribal Science Council
Tribal Pesticide Program Council
National Tribal Air Association
National Tribal Toxics Committee
National Tribal Water Council
Tribal Waste and Response Steering Committee
Midwest Tribal Energy Association

E-Enterprise for the Environment

E-Enterprise for the Environment is a model for collaborative leadership among environmental co-regulators. Through a shared governance model, environmental leaders at EPA, states, and tribes are using E-Enterprise to deliver better results, often with lower costs and less burden, for the benefit of the public, the regulated community, and government agencies. E-Enterprise helps foster greater trust among these groups by improving data integrity and communication.

Region 5 representative: Kari Hedin (karihedin@fdlrez.com), Fond du Lac Band of Lake Superior Chippewa

National EPA-Tribal Science Council

The National EPA-Tribal Science Council (TSC) was created in partnership with tribal representatives to help integrate agency and tribal interests, specifically with respect to environmental science issues. The TSC provides a forum for tribes and EPA to identify priority environmental science issues and collaboratively design effective solutions. The Council seeks to increase tribal involvement in EPA’s scientific activities – building bridges between tribal and agency programs.

Region 5 representative: Scott Walz (scott.walz@shakopeedakota.org), Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community

Tribal Pesticide Program Council

The Tribal Pesticide Program Council (TPPC ) is a tribal technical resource and program and policy development dialogue group, focused on pesticides issues and concerns. The TPPC assists tribes in building tribal pesticide programs, providing pesticide education and training, and researching, developing and presenting a broad range of tribal pesticide-related issues and concerns.

Region 5 representative: Renee Keezer (renee.keezer@whiteearth-nsn.gov), White Earth Nation

National Tribal Air Association

The mission of National Tribal Air Association (NTAA) is to advance air quality management policies and programs, consistent with the needs, interests, and unique legal status of American Indian Tribes and Alaska Natives. Their goal is to advocate and advance tribal environmental, cultural and economic interests in the development of air policy at all levels of government (tribal, federal, state, local and international).

Region 5 representative: Brandy Toft (brandy.toft@llojibwe.net), Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe

National Tribal Toxics Committee

The National Tribal Toxics Committee (NTTC) focuses on providing tribes with an opportunity for greater input on issues related to toxic chemicals and pollution prevention and gives tribes a forum for providing advice on the development of EPA's chemical management and pollution prevention programs that affect tribes.

Region 5 representative: currently vacant

National Tribal Water Council

The National Tribal Water Council (NTWC) is a technical and scientific body created to assist the EPA; federally recognized Indian tribes, including Alaska Native Tribes; and their associated tribal communities and tribal organizations with research and information for decision-making regarding water issues and water-related concerns that affect Indian and Alaska Native tribal members, as well as other residents of Alaska Native Villages and Indian country in the United States.

Region 5 representatives:

Nancy Schuldt (nancyschuldt@fdlrez.com), Fond du Lac Band
Kathleen Brosemer (kbrosemer@saulttribe.net), Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Indians

Tribal Waste and Response Steering Committee

The Tribal Waste and Response Steering Committee (TWAR SC) communicates with EPA’s Office of Land and Emergency Management about the concerns and perspectives of tribal professionals engaged in the fields of solid waste, emergency response, Superfund, underground storage tanks, brownfields, and other contaminated sites. As part of this work, the TWAR SC develops an annual Priorities Document that highlights the evolving needs and priorities of tribal communities related to clean up, prevention and response activities. TWAR SC members also provide training, serve as mentors to tribal professionals, and assist with the development of the annual Tribal Lands and Environment Forum.

Region 5 representative: Victoria Flowers ( vflowers@oneidanation.org), Oneida Nation

Midwest Tribal Energy Association

Midwest Tribal Energy Association (METRA) aims to empower tribal governments to implement energy strategies that promote a clean, responsible, sustainable, and sovereign energy future.