Indigenous Connections Roundtable Announcement
What specific obligations do Tribal trust responsibilities entail? How do these responsibilities contribute to the co-stewardship of federal lands and waters? Melissa Castiano will share her tangible experiences with Tribal trust responsibilities as an Indigenous person and federal employee.
PRESENTER: Melissa Castiano
Melissa is from northwest New Mexico. She is of the Mexican Clan, born for the Salt Clan. Her maternal grandfather’s clan is Red Running into Water Clan, and her paternal grandfather’s clan is the Mexican Clan. Melissa was born in Shiprock, New Mexico, and obtained her Bachelor of Science in Wildlife Science from New Mexico State University. She began her career with U.S. Fish and Wildlife in 2002 as part of the Student Career Employee Program and became a permanent biologist in the Division of Ecological Services at the Southwest Regional Office in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She spent her expansive career with the Service providing leadership in tribal engagement and relations and supporting the next generation of Native youth conservation leaders through Service programs with partner agencies and organizations. In 2022, Melissa joined the National Park Service to serve as the National Park Service Intermountain Region’s Native American Affairs Liaison. In her free time, Melissa enjoys all things outdoors - snowboarding, hiking, backpacking, camping, biking, and running. She also enjoys working out, horror/sci-fi movies and books, and most of all, hanging out with her dog, Lt. Ripley (yes, from Aliens).
WHO SHOULD ATTEND
We welcome any Department of the Interior staff and partners, and anyone else who may be involved with tribes or who wish to learn more about working with tribes.
CONTACT
For Closed Captioning or technical questions: Jennifer Hill at 240.772.0393 or jennifer_hill@fws.gov
Live captions will be included in the broadcast.
We will record this broadcast and upload it to the NCTC Broadcast Gallery 2 weeks after the event. Access the NCTC Broadcast Gallery’s Indigenous Speaker Series.