Mountains to the Sea: The 2025 Southwestern Tribal Summit
Hosted by the Climate Science Alliance and Institute for Tribal Environmental Professionals and in collaboration with Native Coast Action Network, Sacred Places Institute for Indigenous Peoples, Wishtoyo Chumash Foundation, Coastal Band of the Chumash Nation, Great Basin Tribal Alliance and Indigenous Strategies, the Summit brought together tribal leaders, environmental professionals, and community members from across the Southwest. Over two days, engaging discussions and activities focused on the coastal nexus of land and water, and on collaborative efforts to advance meaningful Tribal and community-led stewardship and restoration throughout the region. Coastal band members were both presenters and attendees!
Coastal Band Chairman Mati Waya delivered an empowering opening speech, followed by a variety of panelists, including Julia Cordero (Coastal Band), Teresa Romero (Coastal Band), and storytelling by Johnnie Moreno (Chumash). A special honoring ceremony was held for Johnnie Moreno and Mena Moreno for their years of cultural education and service to the community. Mia and Lacee Lopez (Coastal Band) filled the space with their beautiful songs and a land acknowledgement, and several of our tribal members joined the Summit’s Day 2 field trip to Santa Cruz Island (Limuw), enjoying lunch and exploration at Scorpion Harbor with fellow participants.
