Connecting traditional ecological knowledge and natural science: A partnership between state and tribal department of natural resources

• Main Author: Bluhm, Jodi D
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Western CEDAR 2016
• Subjects: Fresh Water Studies; Life Sciences; Marine Biology; Natural Resources and Conservation; Indian; Ocean acidification
• Online Access: https://cedar.wwu.edu/ssec/2016ssec/shorelines/44

Since “time immemorial”, Samish People have been stewards of the places they live. Traditional Lifeways require close observation of the natural world to know when to schedule important events. Times to harvest, times to preserve and times to rest are all shared by the environment. The Samish Indian Nation continues to care about our natural environment holistically and is concerned by changes in climate, ocean acidification, and loss of habitat that birds, animals, fish and humans depend on. Samish traditional knowledge is carried in song, stories and practice that deepen understanding of connection and human relationship with our natural surroundings. The Samish Indian Nation’s Department of Natural Resources is working to integrate this knowledge into current restoration and preservation projects that we are involved in. This poster presentation will include examples of how we are doing this, using our partnership involvement in the Cypress Island estuarine and salt marsh restoration project as an example. Working with State, Federal and local agencies to identify, preserve, protect and enhance all natural resources within Samish historical and cultural territory is important to the Samish Community, continuing a long tradition of natural resource stewardship.