Climate change poses an immediate threat to Indigenous Peoples' health, well-being and ways of life. Tribal nations are on the front lines of confronting climate change, including increased frequency and intensity of wildfires, higher temperatures, ecosystem changes, ocean acidification, forest loss, and habitat damage. Climate change also raises questions about what will become of spiritually and culturally significant ecosystem services that are essential to maintaining many tribes’ identities. Indigenous communities are disproportionately harmed by the changing climate as they depend more on natural resources than the US population as a whole. Negative impacts include threats to traditional foods such as fish and crops which have provided sustenance as well as cultural, economic, medicinal, and community health for countless generations. 

The goal of this documentary is to create a platform for Native American perspectives on climate change, helping them reach a wider audience and ultimately expanding their role in climate and environmental policy. INHABITANTS will offer a valuable, contemporary context for tribal leadership, bringing their voices to many different audiences, including: policy makers, adaptation practitioners, scientists, academics, native youth, tribal councils, native and non-native natural resource managers, activists and environmental organizations.

Through a partnership with the First American Land grant Consortium (FALCON) we've begun the process of assembling accompanying lesson plans to be distributed to the 1994 Land-Grant Institutions which include 34 Tribal Colleges and Universities.  The film could be utilized in courses focusing on Natural Resources, Environmental Studies, Community Development, and Human Health. The continued work will involve developing partnerships with non-tribal colleges to begin incorporating this film into the broader education system.