"Native American tribes are teaming up with climate scientists to monitor environmental changes along the coast, changes that are disrupting indigenous ways of life that tribes say are key to their survival.

Tribal leaders say their understanding of natural ecosystems such as long-term weather patterns or wildlife migrations can be just as important as CO2 measurements or satellite data.

“The long term perspective of our people has scientific value,” said Micah McCarty, chairman of the Makah Tribe in Neah Bay, Washington. “We can establish a more holistic baseline of the big picture of things. Some scientists may be more narrowly focused and have an excellent perspective, but we have a broader perspective to draw from. That’s a value.""

Get the Story:
Eric Niller: Climate Change First Responders: Native Americans (Discovery News 7/17)

Also Today:
Climate change is real for Northwest tribes in DC this week (KPLU 7/16)

Related Stories:
Senate Indian Affairs Committee hearing on environment change (7/16)
PBS: Quileute Tribe confronts threats from environmental change (7/16)
Inaugural First Stewards conference held at NMAI in DC this week (7/16)