ABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ
1
2026 Tribal Lands and Environment Forum
2
Sunset Ballroom 1Sunset Ballroom 3CypressDogwood/LoblollyRedbud
3
Monday, August 178:00am-12:00pm:
AI Fluency for Tribes
Brent Cody, Momentum Consulting Engineers


1:00pm-5:00pm:
Bringing Tribal Brownfields to Life with ArcGIS Story Maps
Kathryn Sunny, Muscogee Nation; Jennifer Clancy and Oral Saulters, Tribal TAB/KSU		8:00am-12:00pm:
Tribal Nations Building Resilence Through Tribal Emergency Response Commissions
RubyDawn Manning, NASTTPO


1:00pm-5:00pm:
Tabletop Exercise Drill: Oil Spill and Emergency Response 101
Choctaw Nation; US EPA; and Oklahoma DEQ		8:00am-12:00pm:
SPCC Short Course
Mark Howard, Ounce of Prevention Consulting


1:00pm-5:00pm:
AWR-307-V: Identifying Community Prepardness Resources for Tribal Nations
Erika Porter and Marty Antone, Columbia University’s National Center for Disaster Preparedness		8:00am-5:00pm:
Beyond the Known: Understanding Emerging Contaminants
Tribal PFAS Working Group & National Tribal Toxics Council		8:00am-10:00am:
ACRES Training/Office Hours for Brownfields Grant Recipients
Nicole Wireman, US EPA


10:00am-5:00pm:
MGT-327: Ensuring Effective Public Information
Steven Nelson and Mary Schoenfeldt, Alliance Solutions Group
4
5
Monday, August 17, 8:00 am to 5:00 pmFIELD TRIPS: We will be offering four morning and one afternoon field trips to locations featuring work being done by local Tribal Nations and other partners in the area.
6
7
Monday, August 17, after-hoursSpecial After-Hours Event
8
9
Tuesday, August 18, 8:30 am to 10:00 amOPENING PLENARY: Featuring welcome remarks from ITEP, the Vice Chair of the Tribal Waste & Response Steering Committee, and senior staff from US EPA as well as a keynote presentation
10
11
Tuesday, August 18, 10:30 am to 12:00 pmBeyond the Dumpster: Full Cost Accounting for Tribal Waste Programs
Elaine McCarty, The Capacity Collaborative; Rob Roy, La Jolla Band of Luiseno Indians

AND

Balancing the Bin: Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation Waste and Recycling Cost-Rate Analysis
Virginia LeClere, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation		The P's of Brownfields in Akwesasne: Preparation, Patience, & Progress
Shawn Martin, Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe

AND

Waste or Valuable Resource?
Emma O'Neill, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation; Cuauhtemoc Landeros, Tribal TAB (KSU)		Communicating Culturally Relevant & Community-Tailored Environmental Health Science Research
Mallery Quetawki, Asis Lopez, and Abi Granath, University of New Mexico METALS; Derek Capitan, Southwestern Research and Information Center		Learning While Leading: Responsibility & Growth in Tribal Environmental Work
Phillip Toney, Native Village of Nuiqsut

AND

Cool Tools: A Peer Exchange Talking Circle on Resources for Tribal Environmental Work
Phillip Toney, Native Village of Nuiqsut		ACRES Training/Office Hours for Brownfields Grant Recipients
Nicole Wireman, US EPA
12
13
Tuesday, August 18, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pmInvestigating Open Dumps: Approaches to Doing This Safely & Defensibly Brandy Nelson, Ak-Chin Indian Community; Christopher Martinez, Colorado River Indian Tribes; Alison Ruhs, US EPA

AND

The Future of Waste Management on Tribal Lands Michelle Leonard, Carrie Ridley, and Jeff Pearl, SCS Engineers		Brownfields Program Development at the Tulalip Tribes
Braulio Ramos, Tulalip Tribes

AND

Growing Tribal Workforce Opportunities Through Brownfields Job Training
Krisandra Provencher, Adaapta; Bobbi Anne Barnowsky, TSWAN; Rebecca Chadwell, Kalispel Tribe		Indigenous Justice & Sovereignty in Legacy Radioactive Waste Cleanup
Vivian Craig and Nona Baheshone, Navajo Nation

AND

Workshop on 6 R's of Native Engaged Research (and Environmental Justice)
Liz Redd and Georgia Hart-Fredeluces, Idaho State University; Tia Hardy, Shoshone-Bannock Tribes		Tribal Grant Opportunities from the Abandonded Hardrock Mine Reclamation (AHMR) Program Moira O'Donnell, DOI

Gas Stations: What To Do With the One You Have, Buying an Old One, and Installing a New One
Carolyn Hoskinson, US EPA and Jeff Nissar, Source NA

AND

How Old Is Too Old?
Carolyn Hoskinson and Tony Raia, US EPA
14
15
Tuesday, August 18, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pmSanto Domingo Waste Control Ordinance
Josiah Candelaria and Woodrow Crumbo, Santo Domingo Pueblo		The Four Elements of Funding: Choctaw Nation 128(a) Brownfield Highlights
Sierra Rice, Choctaw Nation

AND

Electrify Your Brownfields ARC Grant Application
Maggie Belanger, Kristin Prososki, and Scott Nightingale, KSU TAB		Panel Discussion on Using the 6 R's in Communication to Build, Strengthen, & Protect Relationships
Dr. Liz Redd, Idaho State University; McClure Tosch, Yakama Nation; Rising Buffalo Maybee, US NPS; LaDonna Turner, USEPA Region 6; Todd Barnell, ITEP		Penobscot Indian Nation's Approach to Industrial Pollution
Rich Cambell, Campbell Environmental Group		Mixed AST & UST Systems and the Mysterious "BUBBLE"
Mark Howard, Ounce of Prevention Consulting
16
17
Tuesday, August 18, after-hoursSpecial After-Hours Event
18
19
Wednesday, August 19, 8:30 am to 10:00 amSustainability In Motion: Small Scale Tribal Waste Solutions
Lisa Hopinkah, Pueblo of Santa Ana

AND

Muscogee (Creek) Nation Recycling Programs
James Williams, Muscogee Nation		Calling On Our Community: Envisioning a New Future for Our Racetrack
Emma O'Neill, Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation

AND

Dynamic Partnerships in Action: Tribal Success Stories in Brownfield Revitalization
Oral Saulters and Jennifer Clancey, Tribal TAB (KSU)		Reclaiming the Past, Building the Future: Superfund Cleanup & Critical Mineral Reuse
Craig Kreman and Paige Anderson, Quapaw Nation
Building Tribal Capacity Through Environmental Grant Funding
Cale Pete and Kelsey Denning, Washoe Tribe

AND

Hand It to the Robot: AI for the Paperwork Nobody Wants to Do
Stephen Moffitt, Choctaw Nation		Rooted In Respect: Aligning Development with Tribal Values & Environmental Stewardship Nisar Ahmad and Jeff Dzierzanowski, Source NA
20
21
Wednesday, August 19, 10:30 am to 12:00 pmFrom Vision to Implementation: Tribal Experiences with the SWIFR Grant Program
Kim Katonica and Denise Roy, US EPA		Web-based Mapping Tools for Tribal Environmental Programs: A Case Study
Brent Cody, Momentum Consulting Engineers

AND

Centering Tribal Voices: Storytelling and Podcasting on Contaminated Lands in Alaska
Kaitlin Armstrong, Rosebay Audio; Jeran Pelagio and Lisa Griswold, Tribal TAB (ANTHC)		Exercising Tribal Sovereignty Through the Superfund 5-Year Review Process
Richard DuBey and Andrew Fuller, Ogden Murphy Wallace

AND

The Remedial Process at Midnite Mine: A Case Study from the Spokane Tribe
Molly McLaughlin and Heather Forth, Biodiversity Research Institute; Brian Crossley, Spokane Tribe of Indians		Data Centers in Indian Country: A Story From Muscogee (Creek) Nation
James Williams, Muscogee Nation

AND

Strengthening Climate Resiliance Through Education & Leadership
Cherylin Atcitty and Sawssan Boufous, New Mexico State University		Mystery USTs at Marble City Farmers Market
Madeline Dillner, Oklahoma Corporation Commission; Sheila Sevenstar-Horn, Cherokee Nation

AND

Refueling Reuse: USTs & Brownfields
Jacqueline Coreno and Mark Restaino, US EPA Region 5; Chris Hemann, US EPA Region 9; Tanya Yazzie, Navajo Nation
22
23
Wednesday, August 19, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pmForecasting a Glimpse Into Recycling
James Williams, Muscogee Nation; Paul Streets, City of Midwest City

AND

Using Exchange Network Grants to Track Recycling & More
Frank Harjo, Muscogee Nation; Tracy Horst, Choctaw Nation		Tribal Brownfields Talking Circle Tribal staff only pleaseTar Creek Rising: Indigenous Stewardship & Ecological Renewal
Tabitha Langston, Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma; Kathleen Welch, Wyandotte Nation; Luci McCloud, Seneca-Cayuga Nation; Kristi Laughlin, Eastern Shawnee Tribe of Oklahoma; Erin Barnes, Peoria Tribe of Oklahoma; Kaylene Ritter, Natural Nexus LLC		Emergency Management Best Practices for Tribal Nations
Steven Nelson and Mary Schoenfeldt, FEMA		Cooperation on Redevelopment Opportunities: A Gas Station Case Study
Troy Techlin, Michigan Department of Environment Great Lakes and Energy; Phil Jackson, Saginaw Chippewa Indian Tribe of Michigan; Nisar Ahmad, Source NA

AND

Choctaw Nation's AST/UST Compliance Program & Best Management Practices Jeremy Noah, Choctaw Nation
24
25
Wednesday, August 19, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pmMulti-Media Meetup: This annual event features information tables, poster presentations, and hands-on demonstrations by your fellow attendees, giving everyone a fun way to share and learn from one another

Virtual Jeopardy: This event will begin at 3:30pm and is for virtual attendees only. Sign up and play for a chance to win a virtual ticket to next year's TLEF!
26
27
Wednesday, August 20, after-hoursSpecial After-Hours Cultural Event
28
29
Thursday, August 20, 8:30 am to 10:00 amObtaining Useful Data On Solid Waste Streams: GAP Solid Waste Quality Assurance Project Plans
David Jones, US EPA; Alison Ruhs, US EPA Region 8

AND

Building End Markets for Tires
Luke Hullinger, US EPA and MaryRose Morigeau, Confederated Tribes of Salish & Kootenai Tribes		From Site to Story: Indigenous Storytelling for Tribal Brownfields Success
Jennifer Clancey, Tribal TAB (KSU); Joseph Erb, UCLA

AND

ITEP's "Caring For Our Relatives Program": Tools & Resources for Building Resiliency
Kieren Daley Laursen and Ashley Gries, ITEP		Determining & Quantifying Injury to Natural Resources under NRDA
Heather Forth, Jamie Holmes, and Jeff Morris, Biodiversity Research Institute

AND

Tribal Involvement in NRDA & Restoration
Suzanne Dunn, USFWS; Tabitha Langston, Ottawa Tribe of Oklahoma		From Blank Page to Big Picture: Creative Uses of AI in Tribal Environmental Programs
Phillip Toney, Native Village of Nuiqsut

AND

Data Governance for Tribal Environmental Staff
Edward Mouss, Muscogee Nation

30
31
Thursday, August 20, 10:30 am to 12:00 pmTribal Case Study: Pala’s Newest Solid Waste Pilot Programs
Heidi Brow and Alexis Wallick, Pala Band of Mission Indians

AND

Fun Ways to Connect With the Community on Solid Waste
Brandy Nelson and Ralph "Manny" Gomez, Ak-Chin Indian Community
Cleanup to Reuse: Understanding Superfund & Brownfields in Tribal Communities
Christina Lottie and Summer King, US EPA		Getting Creative When It's Crazy
McClure Tosch and Ahtziry Medina, Yakama Nation

AND

Visual Tour of Bunker Hill Superfund Site & Map of Remedial Project Status
Rebecca Stevens, Coeur d'Alene Tribe		Salt River's Collaborative Partnerships & Environmental Remediation
Amy Miguel, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community

AND

Data Centers: Where Do We Put Them?
Connie Sue Martin and Rosalyn DiLillo Knock, Schwabe Williamson Wyatt		Water Harvesting Partners Project on Quapaw Nation
Jacob Shaffer, J Lazy S Ranch and Sheena Schemm, BIA

AND

Food Energy Required to Sustain the Traditional Lifeways of the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe
Jason Helgeson, Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe; Regina Bergner, HydroGeoLogic
32
33
Thursday, August 20, 1:30 pm to 3:00 pmFrom Open Dumps to Sustainable Solutions: Our Transfer Station Story
Marissa Snapp, Shoshone-Paiute Tribes

AND

Panel Discussion on Best Practices for Managing Batteries on Tribal Lands
Phoebe O'Connor, US EPA and Joanna Kelly, Zender Environmental Health & Research Group		Communities, Contaminated Lands & Nature Based Solutions: Bioremediation 201
Cuauhtemoc Landeros, Tribal TAB (KSU)

Annual Tribal Superfund Working Group Talking Circle
Todd Barnell, ITEP		National Historic Preservation Act Section 106 Consultations for CERCLA and NRDA
Rachael Puleo, US EPA; Samantha Rosado, USFWS

AND

EPA Brownfield Projects Through a Tribal Lens
William Lariviere, US EPA Region 1; Leah Moore, Passamaquoddy Tribe at Sipayik; Aaron Brignull, Campbell Environmental Group		GIS, TEK, & Healing Contaminated Sites for the Next Generation
Manisha Priyadarshini, Santali and Taino; Sativa Cruz, NASA Ames Research Center
34
35
Thursday, August 20, 3:30 pm to 5:00 pmCLOSING PLENARY: Featuring our annual free raffle of gifts from Native Nations, closing comments from ITEP and the Chair of the Tribal Waste & Response Steering Committee, and a closing keynote presentation
36
37
38
39
40
41
42
43
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68
69
70
71
72
73
74
75
76
77
78
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100