Building Connection & Resilience at the Region 9 RTOC Fall 2025 Meeting
From October 21 to 24, 2025, our team from the Indigenous Resilience Center (IRes) participated in the Region 9 Regional Tribal Operations Committee (RTOC) Fall Meeting, held at the Great Wolf Lodge in Scottsdale, Arizona. The event brought together Tribal environmental leaders, program managers, and collaborators from across Arizona, Nevada, and California. Over four days, participants engaged in thoughtful discussions about shared priorities, emerging challenges, and strategies to strengthen environmental programs and Tribal sovereignty across the region.
Attending alongside my IRes colleagues, I was struck by the sense of collaboration and mutual respect that guided every exchange. The RTOC meeting continues to serve as a powerful forum where Tribal Nations can share experiences, develop solutions, and support one another through dialogue grounded in Indigenous values of care, responsibility, and connection. Discussions ranged from water and waste infrastructure to sustainable funding and intertribal coordination, all centered on advancing environmental protection in ways that honor community and culture.
A key moment of the event was the presentation by Assistant Director Daniel Sestiaga Jr. and Torran Anderson and myself, titled Preparing for the Future: Going beyond governmental funding and understanding the current landscape.” Our session invited Tribal representatives to think strategically about long-term sustainability in Tribal environmental programs. They shared practical approaches for diversifying funding sources, developing enduring partnerships, and building adaptable systems capable of weathering changes in federal or institutional support. Their message encouraged reflection on how innovation and collaboration can strengthen Tribal-led environmental programs for generations to come.
Throughout the event, it was inspiring to meet and learn from leaders who exemplify dedication to community and environmental stewardship. Among those highlighted were Michael Dallas Sr., Council Member, Annette George, Vice Chairwoman of the Duckwater Shoshone Tribe, and Gabriel Lopez, Chairman of Ak-Chin Indian Community, whose leadership stood out for its clarity, humility, and deep commitment to collective progress. Our conversations throughout the RTOC sessions embodied the spirit of service and advocacy that continues to drive Tribal environmental work across the region and helps IRes understand how we can be of service to our Native Nations.
Following the day’s sessions, our team hosted a dinner with Tribal partners, creating a welcoming space for continued conversation and connection. The gathering provided an opportunity to reflect on collaborations, share insights from the event, and express appreciation for the partnerships that make this work possible. It was a meaningful continuation of the relationships that define the RTOC space – relationships rooted in trust, mutual respect, and the shared goal of protecting land and water for future generations.
As the event concluded, I left Scottsdale with a renewed sense of gratitude and purpose. The Region 9 RTOC Fall 2025 Meeting reaffirmed that resilience is built through relationships and grounded in shared vision. Being part of the IRes team in this space reinforced how essential collaboration is to our collective success, and how each gathering of Tribal leaders and partners strengthens the foundation for lasting environmental stewardship and community wellbeing.