FIRST IN TIME: THE PLACE OF TRIBES IN GOVERNING THE COLORADO RIVER SYSTEM

Native Americans are the first inhabitants of the Colorado River Basin and have relied on its water and other resources since time immemorial. However, tribes were not involved in the shaping the Colorado River Compact and its governing institutions, and they have faced uphill battles to secure, pro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Natural resources journal 2023-06, Vol.63 (2), p.153
Main Authors: Mckinney, Matthew, Weiner, Jay, Vigil, Daryl
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
American Indians
Collaboration
Decision making
Distribution
Evaluation
Governance
Laws, regulations and rules
Minority & ethnic groups
Native Americans
Powers and duties
Problem solving
River basins
Rivers
Social aspects
Tribal government
Tribal sovereignty
Tribes and tribal systems
Water
Water law
Water rights
Watershed management
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Summary:Native Americans are the first inhabitants of the Colorado River Basin and have relied on its water and other resources since time immemorial. However, tribes were not involved in the shaping the Colorado River Compact and its governing institutions, and they have faced uphill battles to secure, protect, and develop their water rights--including the ability to acquire access to clean water for their members. This article begins by explaining the historic role of tribes in governing the Colorado River system. It then reviews ongoing efforts to better integrate tribal needs, interests, and priorities into management decisions, and to support opportunities for more meaningful engagement of tribes in collaborative problem-solving and decision-making. Finally, the article provides a roadmap for the future role of tribes in governing the Colorado River system. The negotiation and implementation of the post-2026 management framework presents an important inflection point in the history of the basin to enhance the capacity of tribes and to reform the architecture of governance.
ISSN:0028-0739
2640-2149
DOI:10.2307/j.ctv2z6qfp2.13