The Cocopah Tribe, along with two other Arizona tribal communities, is undertaking riparian restoration initiatives funded by grants from the U.S. Department of the Interior and private funders. The Cocopah Tribe received $5 million from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation and additional funding from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Bonneville Environmental Foundation to remove invasive species and replant native trees along the Colorado River. The projects aim to restore habitat for native wildlife and involve the creation of a youth corps. The Bureau of Indian Affairs awarded $1.45 million to the Cocopah, Pascua Yaqui, and White Mountain Apache tribes for various climate resilience projects. The Pascua Yaqui Tribe and White Mountain Apache Tribe received grants for a climate adaption plan and watershed protection project, respectively. The funding is part of efforts to enable tribes to address climate change with Indigenous knowledge and protect their homelands.

The Klamath Tribes, holding the most senior water rights in southern Oregon, are at odds with farmers over water usage in the Upper Klamath River Basin. The tribes are working to reclaim their reservation lands and preserve two culturally significant fish species, the c'waam and koptu, which are endangered. The federal government's Klamath Project, initiated in 1905, drained lakes and wetlands, altering the ecosystem and impacting wildlife, including birds in national wildlife refuges. The Klamath Tribes lost their sovereign nation status in 1954 but regained it in 1986, and their senior water rights were quantified in 2012. Farmers in the region are in 'survival mode' due to water shortages, and wildlife refuges are struggling to maintain bird habitats. Efforts like the 'Walking Wetlands' program and the Klamath Project Drought Response Agency aim to address these issues, while the Department of the Interior is working to bring stakeholders together for solutions. The Modoc Nation is also reclaiming parts of their homeland for restoration and cultural events.

The Klamath River's full flow and fish spawning grounds are expected to be restored with the removal of the last of four hydroelectric dams in 2024. This marks the beginning of a recovery process for the river, which has been impacted by the dams for over a century. Tribes such as the Yurok, Karuk, Shasta, and Klamath, along with environmentalists, have fought for the removal of these dams due to their role in creating toxic water conditions and blocking natural river flow. The project will reopen nearly 400 miles of habitat for fish spawning and rearing. Despite the progress, full recovery of the river and salmon populations is expected to take years, and some Native people do not anticipate seeing complete recovery in their lifetimes. Tribes are preparing for the restoration of their ancestral lands and waterways, while also advocating for their water rights and the health of their communities, which have been adversely affected by the decline in salmon populations.

The Hualapai Tribe, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Energy, has completed a $3.69 million solar-powered microgrid project at Grand Canyon West, which is expected to save the tribe approximately $11.5 million over 25 years. The project will supply about 50% of the electricity for the site's operations, including the Grand Canyon Skywalk. The tribe also celebrated a water rights settlement that will provide water from the Colorado River to their lands. The initiatives are part of a broader effort by the Biden administration to promote clean energy in Indian Country.

The Little Colorado River, sacred to Indigenous peoples and home to the humpback chub, faces challenges from development and conservation efforts. The river's journey from the White Mountain Apache tribal lands to the Grand Canyon is marked by its cultural significance and environmental impact. Proposals for tourist attractions and power generation projects have met resistance from tribes and environmentalists. The Navajo Nation is involved in legal battles over water rights, while conservationists work to protect the river's natural resources and cultural heritage.

The article discusses the complexities surrounding the allocation of $1 billion in settlement funds from the Obama administration to 41 tribes for federal mismanagement of trust funds. While the funds were seen as an opportunity for long-term development in Indian Country, internal conflicts arose as tribal members pressured leaders to distribute the money on a per capita basis due to economic hardships and distrust in leadership. The Ute Mountain Utes, the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, and the Nez Perce Tribe are highlighted as examples of how the settlements are being handled. The article also touches on the broader economic impact of the settlements, noting increased sales tax revenues in towns adjacent to reservations after the distribution of settlement checks.

The Klamath River's full flow and fish spawning grounds are expected to be restored with the removal of four hydroelectric dams by 2024, a project that marks the beginning of the river's recovery. The Yurok, Karuk, Shasta, and Klamath tribes, along with environmentalists, have fought for the removal of these dams, which have contributed to toxic water conditions and decimated fish populations. The project will reopen nearly 400 miles of habitat and is part of broader efforts by tribes to restore their ancestral lands and waterways. Despite the progress, challenges remain, including other dams with fish ladders, water quality issues, and the need for wetland restoration. Tribes are also working to ensure government compliance with water rights and engaging in community discussions to find sustainable solutions for the river's ecosystem and their cultural practices.

The article is a personal account of the author's experience with knee pain and their search for relief. The author discusses their own knee injuries and the broader issue of knee pain in America, citing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's statistic that 18% of Americans suffer from knee pain. The author then introduces the Carepeutic device, which is designed to alleviate joint pain using infrared light, heat, magnets, and vibration massage. After consulting with a physical therapist, the author tries the device and reports a decrease in knee stiffness and relief in shoulder pain from carrying a reporter's backpack. The author's mother, who also suffers from knee issues, finds relief with the device. The author concludes by considering purchasing another Carepeutic for personal use.

The article discusses the work of Leah Mata, a Northern Chumash Tribe artist who creates traditional regalia and wearable art using natural materials. Mata's work is deeply rooted in Chumash culture and is influenced by environmental conservation and cultural sustainability. She takes precautions to avoid using culturally sensitive or endangered materials and highlights the health risks involved in her craft, such as the dangers of cutting shells. Mata's art serves as a platform for discussing the protection of tribal cultural resources and the impact of climate change on material availability. The article also touches on the historical and contemporary challenges faced by California Indian communities, including the lack of treaty rights and the importance of cultural resource protection. Leah Mata's engagement in cultural sustainability has been recognized by the Alliance for California Traditional Arts, and she teaches at the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe.

The article discusses the ongoing struggle of the Navajo Nation and Hopi Tribe to secure water rights in the arid Southwest, specifically through the Little Colorado River Water Rights Adjudication. Despite efforts to reach a settlement, including a bill introduced by Sen. Jon Kyl in 2012, progress has been slow and faced opposition from grassroots tribal groups who view water as sacred and oppose treating it as a commodity. The tribes are also concerned about water being used for mining and energy operations, such as the Navajo Generating Station. A trial for the 1978 adjudication case is set for fall 2018, but even a court decision will not guarantee funding for water projects. The article highlights the cultural and legal complexities of water rights in the region and the challenges faced by the tribes in securing a sustainable water supply.