Mining Toxins and Tribal Health Program

Our core program work is in response to Mercury contamination in California. This toxin is a critical widespread environmental health threat, affecting all fish- consuming communities in California. California tribal members are at an increased risk because fish are an important traditional subsistence food and are fundamental to their spiritual, ceremonial, and cultural identity. Pregnant women, nursing mothers, and children experience an even greater health risk through fish consumption, which further threatens each tribe’s cultural and physical survival.

Resources and Publications

Within the Mining Toxins and Tribal Health Program CIEA produces health brochures, a monthly email newsletter and maintains a clearinghouse of information, contacts, organizations, agencies, pending legislation and projects relating to mercury in the environment, in fish, in the human body and efforts to move towards advocacy and cleanup. 

CIEA Publications    Resources

Community Trainings

CIEA conducts presentations and trainings for tribal members, tribal leaders, health care providers, and local community-based groups in inform and empower communities to make informed healthy decisions and to advocate on their own behalf.  Trainings have been developed for multiple audiences so they can be technical for tribal leadership, health care providers or for youth.

The following updated trainings will available beginning Summer 2008:

·        Effects of Mercury: On the environment, ecology, the human body and culture

·        Eating Fish Safely: Including local advisories, new information and culturally appropriate “risk reduction”

·        Coalition & Capacity Building: For tribal representatives, tribal members, health programs and community based organizations

·        Science Updates: Hotspot location, cleanup and pending projects

·        Regulatory and Legal Remedies: Current and pending state and federal laws, case precedence and pending changes

 On January 31, 2008 CIEA initiated the first statewide Tribal Mercury Strategy Meeting to bring together traditional, scientific, legal, health and community experts to build coalitions, share information, create sustainable solutions and initiate cleanup.  These meetings will continue on a quarterly basis.

To schedule a presentation or training, or to participate in future find out about upcoming Tribal Mercury Strategy Meetings contact us at info@cieaweb.org or call 510 848-2043.