Social Alliance Network

Building purposeful community forspiritual, ecological, economic and

social vitality.

about the founder – bill jacobson

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Commitment: Earth Stewardship, People & Community

Education: Masters of Public AdministrationIndigenous Spiritual Teachings

Experience: Community DevelopmentTechnology ManagerCeremonial Knowledge & Leadership

Vision | Plan | Community Bridge Building

Classroon: Calling Back the Salmon

3American Indian Spirituality

Action – Calling back the Salmon

4Working the Vision

To Blue line creek in Marin County: Late 90’s

Action – Calling back the Salmon

5Gathering for Ceremony

South Yuba River – January 2005

Action – Calling back the Salmon

6Vision | Plan | Community Bridge Building

South Yuba River – January 06, through October 2008

Action – Calling back the Salmon

7Vision | Plan | Community Bridge Building

South Yuba River – October 2007

FERC – What & Why?

87 Year Process

Federal Energy Regulatory Commission relicensing of NID’s Yuba-Bear Hydroelectric Project and PG&E’s Drum-Spaulding Hydroelectric Project

Areas of Study:

•Aquatics•Wildlife/Botanical•Recreation/Aesthetics•Cultural/Tribal•Land Use/Social Economic

FERC – Cultural/Tribal Representation?

97 Year Process

FERC – Cultural Tribal Workgroup…

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Vision

Studies must reflect how the operations and maintenance of relicensing will impact cultural life way's of:

•Water

•Salmon

•Cultural Survival

ISSUES …

11Plan

Study the effects on all species and the ecosystem in relationship to the loss of salmon in the watershed.

Conduct a fish migration study on the north fork of the American River.

Study the cultural impacts related to the inability to harvest or obtain items for ceremonial practices.

Study the lack of access to ceremonial sites and items used therein.

Study the effects of water conveyance on contaminant distribution throughout the watershed. i.e. road salt.

Study the effect of low water volume on water quality and ecosystem.

ISSUES …

12Plan

•Study the distribution of fish in watershed prior to PG&E and NID operations.

•Study the effects of losing medicinal and edible foliage near riparian corridors.

•Study effects of recreational impacts on water and ecosystem sustainability.

•Study the genetic re-strengthening of trout and steelhead.

•Study the benefits of introducing native fish species instead of the current practice of introducing non-native species into watershed.

•Study the socio-economic losses to indigenous peoples of this region and their ability to be economically sustainable.

ISSUES …

13Plan

•Study how Indigenous people can obtain equal rights that PG&E and NID now obtain in reference to the distribution of electricity into the electrical grid.

•Study the past, present and future policies of PG&E and NID related to cultural site discoveries.

•Determine the cultural and socio-economic benefits of obtaining and owning divested land from PG&E for Traditional Cultural Properties use and traditions.

•Study the social and economic impact of the FERC relicensing process and continued operation in the project area on Native American Aboriginal groups or tribes that lack federal recognition.

FERC & Community – The Big Picture…

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Integrating FERC and Native Community Sustainability

Vision | Plan | Community Bridge Building

Potential Team Building Results

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Economic

Spiritual

Ecological

Social

Vision for Sierra Native Initiatives?

Potential Team Building Results

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Economic

Spiritual

Ecological

Social

Vision for Sierra Native Initiatives?

Salmon Restoration Plan

Creeks & Rivers Restoration Plan

Traditional PropertiesDigitized Cultural Archive Library

Solid Waste Composting

Micro-hydro Generation

Community Gardens Cultural Learning

Next Steps

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ACTION is LONG Overdue

•Building critical relationships – Tribal / Environmental / Community

• Implementing insightful strategies, goals, objectives, work plans & tactics

• Deploying vital skills

• Organizing the power to achieve success

Vision | Plan | Community Bridge Building

Immediate Cultural Tribal Action

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• FERC Involvement / Oversight• FERC Reporting• Public Relationship & Outreach• Legal Advice & Filings• Agency Affiliation Development• Funding…

Vision | Plan | Community Bridge Building

In the realm of the possible…

Social Alliance Network

Building purposeful community forspiritual, ecological, economic and

social vitality.