April 20th: Understanding Federal Guidance on Engaging with Indigenous Knowledges 

Haley Case-Scott (White House Office of Science and Technology Policy) Paige Schmidt (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service)

Registration: https://www.usgs.gov/programs/climate-adaptation-science-centers/webinar-series-incorporating-indigenous-knowledges

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) National Climate Adaptation Science Center (National CASC) is hosting a virtual webinar series on how to integrate Indigenous Knowledges (IK) into Federal ecological research and resource management programs. Running bi-weekly from April 6 to June 1, 2023 (3 PM ET), this series centers Indigenous perspectives to explore ethical, legal, and scientific considerations inherent in working within different knowledge systems and provides guidance and case studies reflecting best practices for collaborating with Tribes and Indigenous communities.

Haley Case-Scott is a member of the Confederated Tribes of Si letz Indians, and a descendant of the Klamath Tribes, Yurok Tribe, and Sakagaon Band of Chippewa Indians. She currently serves as a Policy Assistant for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy’s (OSTP) Climate and Environment Team. Prior to her work at OSTP, Ms. Case-Scott served as a Climate Justice Grassroots Organizer for Beyond Toxics, an Oregon-based environmental justice organization, and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People Eugene/Springfield. She also served as a Resource Assistant Program intern with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service and the Pacific Northwest Tribal Climate Change Project, where she supported efforts to engage Tribes and Tribal communities to better inform climate policy. Ms. Case-Scott received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Oregon, with a major in political science and a minor in Native American studies. She grew up in Southern, OR, in the homelands of her Klamath ancestors, and enjoys spending time with her brothers and sister whenever possible.

Paige Schmidt works for U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Headquarters in Science Applications and the National Native American Programs where she serves as the Indigenous Knowledge and Co-stewardship Coordinator. During the first two decades of her career, Paige focused on the science of wildlife ecology and management. Throughout this time, she maintained her passion for elevating the role of Indigenous Peoples in the wildlife profession. She has served in numerous leadership positions with The Wildlife Society’s Native Peoples’ Wildlife Management Working Group focused on increasing the number of qualified Indigenous students in the larger conservation community. In her current role, she has worked to evaluate how the Service provides financial assistance to Tribes and represents the Service in the development of Federal guidance and Departmental policy for the consideration and inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge in federal activities. She has also worked to step down recent policy on co-stewardship with Tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, Alaska Native Organizations, and the Native Hawaiian Community. Paige is honored to support Service efforts to engage with these groups in the co-stewardship of public lands and waters. Paige is a member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation of Oklahoma and resides in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her son.