Tribal colleges can provide access to elders' knowledge in a culturally appropriate manner. This culturally based knowledge demonstrates tribal familiarity with natural environment and an ability to recognize changes in animal behavior of local species. Issues in Data Collection Reservations are held in trust by the federal government, strictly for the benefit of the resident Indian tribe. Federal trust status requires meaningful consultation and participation of tribes in a government to government relationship with the federal agencies. Tribal values must be prominent in the federal policies relating to environmental protection, management and preservation on Indian reservations.
Tribes have a right to know why federal agencies are seeking environmental information.
Tribes have a right to participate in decision making which may affect their reservation land bases. History of land loss and resource exploitation requires clear and open communication to allow for tribal participation. Tribal participation in the global climate change discussion is essential to ensure that the developing policies of the United States take into consideration the concerns of tribal sovereign nations. Impact of Climate Change in Great Plains Increased precipitation and raising of the average temperature are likely changes in the climate on the Northern Great Plains. With such changes, there will be a greater likelihood of localized and regional spring flooding.