Patrick Freeland

The Tribal Climate Resilience Liaison at the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians (ATNI) serves Federally Recognized Tribes across Washington, Oregon, and Idaho through strategic coordination between Indigenous communities and climate science organizations. This position advances Tribal sovereignty through governance infrastructure development, synthesis of climate research within broad ecological contexts, and facilitation of knowledge exchange networks that connect Tribal Nations with adaptation sciences and resources. The role requires respectful engagement with Tribal leaders, climate scientists, and partner organizations while maintaining government-to-government consultation principles and informed consent protocols. Responsibilities include supporting climate adaptation planning, coordinating regional convenings and governance structures for Tribes and Tribal organizations, conducting Tribal Nation site visits, and developing ethical engagement frameworks that center Indigenous rights and perspectives in climate science and policy development. InterTribal strategic development strengthens organizational capacity through relationship building, technical assistance, and data-informed planning processes. The Liaison synthesizes climate projections, risk assessments, and vulnerability studies examining regional climate impacts across diverse landscapes and ecosystems. This work bridges scientific inquiry with Indigenous knowledge systems to support Tribal decision-making and enables practical implementation of adaptation strategies. The position establishes cross-program coordination, facilitates knowledge exchange, and ensures accessibility and practical feasibility in climate resilience work, ultimately serving Tribal Nations in advancing their climate adaptation objectives while respecting cultural protocols and Tribal, Cultural, Data sSovereignty.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

As a Project Consultant, I have successfully completed several independent contracts that required a range of skills such as coordination, technical expertise, project management, organizational development, workshop facilitation and mentoring. I have worked (and continue to work) with various organizations that focus on issues such as Indigenous Peoples and Media, Climate and Environmental Justice, Educational Opportunity (including Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Access #IDEA), and Advanced Technology Applications.

The Rising Voices, Changing Coasts (RVCC) Hub is a coastal research project that brings together university-trained scientists and Indigenous knowledge-holders to study the interactions between natural, human-built, and social systems in coastal populated environments. The project coordinator works with project leadership, creating a framework for successful and respectful collaboration among Earth scientists and Indigenous communities; providing research opportunities for Indigenous students; and strengthening the capacity and networking of Tribal Colleges and University (TCU) systems for shared capacity to continue to facilitate similar collaborative research projects going forward. RVCC is funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF) Coastlines and People Hubs for Research and Broadening Participation (CoPe) program. This position also serves to develop the RVCC Summer Internship and serve as faculty and mentor for project interns and postdoctoral fellows.

Adjunct Faculty Instructor for Ecology, Agroecology, and Tribal Climate Resilience Summer Internship Programs

Established in 2004, The College of the Muscogee Nation (CMN) is a member of the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), and was designated as a 1994 Land-Grant institution in 2014 and granted Initial Accreditation by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) in November 2016. The Natural Resources Associate of Science Degree was established in 2019, and the Natural Resources instructor is responsible for course instruction and curriculum development, academic and career advising for students declared in the Natural Resources A.S. Sustainable Agriculture and Conservation program concentrations, as well as program coordination and institutional service.

The Knowledge Sharing Network: Climate Education Centering Indigenous Knowledge Systems project, inline with the Indigenous Leadership in Climate Education (ILCE) Program and Rising Voices Center for Indigenous and Earth Sciences network, serves Indigenous organizations and educators leading Indigenous Youth Climate Education. The Project Director, under guidance of a Council of Indigenous Scholars and Educators and partners, leads program organization, meetings, activities, through Phase I (June 2022). Deliverables included: (1) a theory of change detailing the ”Building A Fire...” process and Knowledge Sharing Network metaphor, (2) an Indigenous Peoples and Places Risk Map, (3) an Indigenous Climate Education Bibliography, and (4) BuildingAFire.org website to host open-access interactive versions of these tools with continued roll-out planned through 2023.

Student Outreach Services is committed to serving first-generation, multicultural, and non-traditional students. The Academic Support Coordinator (ASC) serves all students, and leads The Pathfinder Program designed to mentor and serve American-Indian, Alaska-Native, and other Indigenous-Identifying (AI/AN/II) students, with appreciation for individual (and shared) cultural sovereignty, to promote academic retention and excellence, and advocate for greater Indigenous representation. Duties included course and workshop instruction, program assessment and evaluation, best-practices research, and continuous professional development; this role as a component of WWU's commitment to Accessibility, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (ADEI) led to strengthening the leadership and organizational capacity of AI/AN/II college students, especially those who focus on environmental sustainability, community development, and advancing justice and social equity.

TRiO Student Support Services serves first-generation, low-income, and disabled students. The Director is responsible for budgetary and grant management as well as program design and execution. The Director provides supervision, recruitment and training of the program staff, and determines student eligibility. Duties also included interpersonal development through Peacemaking Circles, program advancement, assessment and evaluation, as well as grant-writing, event-planning, and community engagement.

The Science Advisor serves students within the Native Environmental Science program, assisting students in understanding degree requirements, planning schedules, identifying resources, and also provides necessary direction and mentorship to ensure adequate educational and career planning for the student's intended program of study. This position also served as Faculty for the Native Environmental Science Bachelor of Science program, and served as part of the retention committee to promote satisfactory academic progress and institutional advancement.

Focus on human dimensions of climate change and interdisciplinary sciences as part of the Natural Resources Social Science Laboratory in the Department of Forestry & Natural Resources.

Focus on history, law, art, and philosophy, specific to American Indian, Alaska Native, and Indigenous Peoples’ worldview, sovereignty, sustainability, and contemporary issues.

Focus on literature, poetry, short stories, and English and Indigenous languages as a communication medium and art form.