Working Group on  Native American Disaster Information Needs

Chairpersons:

Joe Garcia (San JuanPueblo), President, National Congress of American Indians Glenda Davis  (Navajo Nation),  Chairperson of the Navajo GDIN Working Group Larry Roeder, Executive Director, GDIN

General Goals

The body considers ways of helping the Native American Community address their disaster information needs and related emergency telecommunications needs. Initial project is to develop a Native American Disaster Information Network as a part of the Global Disaster Information Network's Information Facilitator Service. Project leader of IF Service is Larry Roeder, Executive Director of GDIN. executivedirector@gdin.org

Goals for 2007/2008   Major Fundraising Event   Begin Network

September 13, 2007.  Mark it on your calendar.  Fundraising event at the Washington Office of the Navajo Nations. (details to be announced shortly) Begin Navajo Node in New Mexico and HQ buildup. Expand discussions with other tribes and NCAI to enhance partnerships.

Background

The working group was first found in 2003 in Washington, DC. August, 2003: Agreed on initial concept of Blueprint for Native American Intranet. Delivered in August, 2003. October/November 2003 and throughout the 2004-2007 timeframe:  Field trips to New Mexico Pueblo Nations, UN ISDR Headquarters, Geneva, OECD Paris, to develop partnerships and refine concept.  February 2004:  Agreement with Department of Interior and FEMA to mount major GDIN expedition to New Mexico/Arizona region to assess disaster information needs. Delivered February, 2004 Revamped GDIN Standing Committee on Native American Disaster Information Needs. March, 2004 at GDIN2004, Washington, DC. GDIN Expedition to New Mexico and Arizona. Delivered, March/April, 2004 to Pueblos Laguna, Zia, San Juan and Santa Clara, as well as Navajo reservations.   2004/2005 Self-Assessment Study conducted with OECD, Organziation of Economic Cooperation and Development, Paris. 20005-2007.  Further discussions, culminating in letter of endorsement in 2007 by President of Navajo Nation to supporting funding operation.

Current Participants:

Larry Winter Roeder, Jr. Executive Director, GDIN, Policy Advisor on Disaster Management, State/IO/SHA Pierre Alein Schieb Director, Advisory Unit to the Secretary General, OECD, Member of Executive Committee, GDIN. Joe Garcia Former Governor of Pueblo San Juan and President, National Congress of American Indians. Glenda Davis Livestock Director, Navajo Nation http://www.navajo.org Richard Wadleigh Native American Liaison, US Department of Agriculture, APHIS Joe Hesbrook Tribal Liaison, FEMA David Baxa President, Vista Technology Services and President, GDIN Fund Dr. Barry Perlman AMSRD-CER-TSP-GP, CERDEC, Fort Monmouth, NJ Dr. Albert Simard Director of Knowledge Management, Natural Resources, Canada

Reports and Links:

Endorsement by the President of the Navajo nation Native American Working Group Articles of Incorporation 07 Jul 2006 Native American Working Group Bylaws 07 Jul 2006 Native American Working Group IRS Form 1023 07 Jul 2006 Official Navajo GDIN Brief 07 Jul 2006 GDIN Native American Project Update 04 Mar 2006 View endorsement by President of Navajo nation Solar energy lights up Navajos' lives 50 homes get power for first time Bureau of International Organization Affairs - FY 2007 Bureau Performance Plan 21 Mar 2005 (108kb | pdf) Navajos Hone Preparation 21 Mar 2005 American Indians Prepare National Congress of Native American Indians The Institute of American Indian Arts Sustainable Development Partnerships, a fact sheet on GDIN by the US Department of State or here