Rooted in Nature: Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Resiliency
online Speaker Series
Rooted in Nature: Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Resiliency is a web series consisting of five thematic sessions, showcasing experts from indigenous communities in Massachusetts. This series offers an exploration of indigenous perspectives on climate resilience and sustainability, spotlighting practical examples and case studies rooted in the local context of Massachusetts.
By integrating indigenous knowledge into climate resiliency efforts, municipalities can learn from the rich insights and practices developed by local indigenous communities. This inclusive approach enhances the effectiveness of climate adaptation strategies and fosters understanding of indigenous cultures, creating opportunities for collaborations and cross-municipality projects focused on collectively addressing the impacts of climate change.
Schedule
Session 1 | September 20, 2023
For Our Mother, For Our Children: Introduction to Indigenous Worldviews on Climate Resilience
Attempts to engage Tribal Nations are generally well-intended but under-informed. A general lack of understanding of Indigenous worldviews and tribal sovereignty has often led to “one size fits all” solutions that do not fit the needs, wants, or desires of that community. Layered with a history of non-indigenous entities utilizing extractive practices in their relationships, the result has been a legacy of distrust. In response to this, many tribes are highly selective in who they work with and why as they seek to protect the very things that have been, and currently are, under threat: their land, language, culture, families, and sacred teachings.
This session serves as an introduction to indigenous kinship systems and how it informs how Tribal Nations and Peoples perceive climate health and how it informs the approach to solutions.
Books recommended by Ryann Monteiro:
- Restoring the Kinship World View: Indigenous Voices Introduce 28 Precepts for Rebalancing Life on Planet Earth by Wahinkpe Topa (Four Arrows) and Darcia Narvaez
- Violent Appetites: Hunger in the Early Northeast by Carla Cevasco
Resources
- Indigenous science to be focus at UMass Amherst center on climate change research (WBUR artistical) Indigenous science to be focus at UMass Amherst center on climate change research | WBUR News
Session 2 | September 29, 2023
Indigenous Land Conservation, Water Preservation and Cultural Respect
Speaker Leslie Jonas
This talk focuses on the power of indigenous land management practices that have taken place for thousands of years, and the importance of traditional ecological knowledge in the preservation of these native ecological systems that have been severely damaged by human and industry impact for hundreds of years. Currently, the condition of the water is critical as our waterways are sick and dying. This current condition threatens the lifeways of the local indigenous people who have lived and thrived in these natural environments for millenia. Concepts like Rewilding were introduced to reverse biodiversity loss but can exclude the local traditional ecological knowledge systems that have kept the natural world in balance since time immemorial.
Books recommended by speaker Leslie Jonas:
- All our Relations by Winona LaDuke
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmer
- Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Learning from Indigenous Practices for Environmental Sustainability by Melissa Nelson and Daniel Shilling
- Original Instructions: Indigenous Teachings for a Sustainable Future by Melissa Nelson
The Cultural Respect Easement with the Dennis Conservation Land Trust (Dennis, Mass) was mentioned throughout the talk. To find out more:
Session 3 | October 12, 2023
Wampanoag Ecological Perspective, Historical Resilience, and Climate Adaptation
This session is presented in collaboration with the Accelerating Climate Resiliency Speaker Series.
Speaker Linda Coombs
Speaker Bret Stearns
This presentation will delve into the intricate connection between traditional ecological knowledge and the Wampanoag perspective. It will trace the evolution and expression of their worldview up until the time of initial contact. The discussion will cover how the Wampanoag people managed to preserve certain traditions despite colonization's challenges. Moreover, it will emphasize the critical contemporary implications of these dynamics, particularly underscoring the pivotal role of the Wampanoag perspective in strengthening climate resiliency efforts in the present day.
Resources
- We Still Live here Independent Lens 2011 We Still Live Here As Nutayunean 720p - Dailymotion Video
- Cranberry Day Honors Ancient Wampanoag Tradition in the Bogs (Vineyard Gazette) The Vineyard Gazette - Martha's Vineyard News | Cranberry Day Honors Ancient Wampanoag Tradition in the Bogs
- Many hands in the sand: Aquinnah tribe, volunteers plant beach grass for climate-resilient coast (CAI Cape and Islands NPR) Many hands in the sand: Aquinnah tribe, volunteers plant beach grass for climate-resilient coast | CAI (capeandislands.org)
- To preserve traditions, Indigenous tribe on Martha’s Vineyard seeks to preserve herring (Boston Globe) To preserve traditions, Indigenous tribe on Martha’s Vineyard seeks to preserve herring - The Boston Globe
Session 4 | October 26, 2023
Restoring Indigenous Foodways for Climate Resilience
Speaker Kristen Wyman
This discussion leads us beyond land acknowledgments to a more collaborative and rights-based approach to climate resilience. Learn how indigenous land back efforts in both private and public lands are benefiting municipal efforts to restore and manage forests and waterways for increased biodiversity, greater productivity and resilience to shock and disturbance. Specifically, we explore the historical characteristics of local indigenous foodways and consider how a transition to an alternative food system grounded in indigenous knowledge and leadership can support a more robust and resilient ecosystem in the context of our rapidly changing climate.
Books recommended by speaker Kristen Wyman:
- Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Kimmerer
- Firsting and Lasting by Jean O'Brien
- Our Beloved Kin by Lisa Brooks
- Architects of Abundance by Lyla June Johnston
Resources
- Eastern Woodland Rematriation Rematriate.org | Home
- Nipmuc Indian Development Corporation Nipmuc Indian Development Corporation – People of the Nippi
- I-Collective I-Collective (icollectiveinc.org)
- Damming Fish and Indians: Starvation and Dispossession in Colonial Massachusetts (Blog post) Damming Fish and Indians: Starvation and Dispossession in Colonial Massachusetts « The Junto (earlyamericanists.com)
Session 5 | November 3, 2023
Climate Change from the Indigenous Perspective
Speaker Leslie Jonas
Our world is changing and it’s evidently clear that our Earth Mother is screaming for help.
Centuries of impact and extraction, fossil fuels and pollution have caused a dire situation called Climate Change. Indigenous people have lived very closely to the land and have witnessed Climate’s impact for over 50 years now. This presentation will examine more recent evidence, and effects of Climate-related environmental destruction and how it is impacting the lives of Indigenous people who have lived off of the land and water for millennia.
Resources
- Three generations of Cape Cod oyster farmers honor their indigenous heritage (GHB News Video) Three generations of Cape Cod oyster farmers honor their indigenous heritage (youtube.com)
- A Toxic Stew on Cape Cod: Human Waste and Warming Water (New York Times article) NY Times Toxic Stew.pdf (constantcontact.com)
- Bioneers Restoring Ecosystems - Bioneers