Wind River Water Forum

April 26, 2025
Frank B. Wise Building  |  3 Ethete Rd. Fort Washakie, WY

Join us as we explore water issues on the Wind River Reservation!

Our in-person morning tour of water infrastructure will be led by the Acting Tribal Water Engineer. Our afternoon panels, in turn, will provide (1) a historical perspective on the water infrastructure and the Big Horn adjudication addressing the tribes' reserved water right, plus (2) a forward-looking perspective on key future priorities for the water infrastructure and water right. A closing keynote will end the day with a national perspective on similar water issues facing tribal nations across Indian Country. This event is free and open to the public, and community meals (breakfast and lunch) will be provided.

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Recordings:

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Agenda:

8:00-8:45 a.m.: Community Breakfast
8:45-9:10 a.m.: Cedaring & Introduction

• James Trosper, Sun Dance Chief, Eastern Shoshone Tribe.
• Jason Robison, Professor, UW College of Law.

9:15-11:45 a.m.: Water Infrastructure Tour

• Site visits to key water infrastructure on the Wind River Reservation: Bull Lake Dam and Reservoir, Wind River Diversion Dam, and Pilot Butte Dam and Reservoir.
• Lokilo St. Clair, Acting Tribal Water Engineer, Tribal Water Engineer’s Office.

12:00-1:00 p.m.: Community Lunch
1:00-2:15 p.m.: Early Afternoon Panel

• This initial panel will look backwards in time, offering an historical perspective on Wind River water infrastructure, and the Big Horn adjudication addressing the tribes’ reserved water right.
• Panelists:
  Richard Baldes, former Wind River Project Leader, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.
  Jason Baldes, Executive Director, Wind River Tribal Buffalo Initiative.
  Sandra C’Bearing, former Northern Arapaho Co-Chair, Wind River Water Resources Control Board.
  Anne McIntosh, Business Owner & former Board Member, Wind River Development Fund.
  Orville St. Clair, Eastern Shoshone Co-Chair, Wind River Water Resource Control Board.
• Moderator: Ginger Paige, Professor, UW Dept. of Ecosystem Science & Management.

2:15-2:30 p.m.: Break
2:30-3:45 p.m.: Late Afternoon Panel

• Shifting from past to future, this subsequent panel will explore key priorities looking forward for Wind River water infrastructure, as well as utilization of the tribes’ reserved water right.
• Panelists:
  Darren Calhoun, Owner, Wind River White Water & Flyfishing.
  Colleen Friday, Wind River Conservation Organizer, Greater Yellowstone Coalition.
  Wes Martel, Senior Wind River Conservation Associate, Greater Yellowstone Coalition.
  Travis Shakespeare, Senior Hydrological Technician, University of Wyoming.
  Lokilo St. Clair, Acting Tribal Water Engineer, Tribal Water Engineer’s Office.
• Moderator: Jason Robison, Professor, UW College of Law.

3:45-4:15 p.m.: Closing Keynote

• Alyson White Eagle, Tribal Water Institute Fellow, Native American Rights Fund.
• The water-related issues on the Wind River Reservation are not unique, and this keynote will shed light on similar issues facing tribal nations across Indian Country.