Their challenge is to integrate timeless traditional teachings and values into modern day practices. NTEC and its member tribes are committed to the preservation of tribal lands and to approaches that focus on sustaining natural resources and preserving the ecological, recreational, economic, aesthetic and, above all, spiritual values those resources embody. Tribes have the inherent authority to protect their environments and to determine their economic futures. While strength exists in the great diversity of tribal cultures and governments, a united approach that respects tribal differences and works towards cleaner tribal environments is important at this time.
Indian reservations are the most impoverished areas of the nation.
Tribal governments have been exploring many options to increase employment, all of which will have environmental impacts. In addition, past federal policies have encouraged resource exploitation which has resulted in the degradation of tribal natural resources without adequate consideration and protection of reservation environments. Tribal governments do not have the resources to plan for future environmental protection nor to investigate and demand reclamation of already damaged lands. Inadequate funding from the federal government has led to the many environmental problems which tribes face. Over the five year period from 1989 through 1993 EPA funding for all Indian Tribes never exceeded one-third of one percent of EPA's total budget.