Ecological Calendars, Food Sovereignty, and Climate Adaptation in Standing Rock. (10th December 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ruelle, Morgan L.; Skye, Aubrey Joshua; Collins, Evan; Kassam, Karim‐Aly S.
• Is Part Of: GeoHealth. Volume 6:Number 12(2022)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2022-12-10
• Subjects: climate change -- Dakota/Lakota -- food systems -- participatory action research -- traditional foodways; Environmental health -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; Periodicals; 616.98
• DOI: 10.1029/2022GH000621
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2471-1403

Abstract

Abstract: Indigenous food sovereignty relies on ecological knowledge of plants and animals, including knowledge related to their development and behavior through the seasons. In the context of anthropogenic climate change, ecological calendars based on Indigenous knowledge may enable communities to anticipate seasonal phenomena. We conducted research with communities in the Standing Rock Nation (North and South Dakota, USA) to develop ecological calendars based on their ecological knowledge. We present ecological calendars developed in seven communities through a series of workshops and interviews. These calendars are rich with knowledge about temporal relations within each community's ecosystem, including the use of plants and animals as seasonal indicators and cues for food system activities. However, the calendars also reveal the impacts of cultural genocide wrought by the United States government in its efforts to colonize the lands and minds of Indigenous communities. Given the diversity of knowledge among Standing Rock communities, we identify opportunities for knowledge exchange to revitalize ecological relations at the heart of food sovereignty. We highlight the potential for ecological calendars to facilitate climate adaptation by enabling communities to synchronize their food systems with an increasingly variable climate. Plain Language Summary: Indigenous knowledge about plants and animals is necessary for communities to produce and consume food according to their own values and traditions. In many cases, Indigenous people have learned to watch the growth and behavior of plants and animals to make decisions about when to carry out seasonal activities like planting, harvesting, gathering, or hunting. This kind of knowledge can be used to develop ecological calendars that help communities adapt to climate change. We present ecological calendars developed with seven Native American communities in the Standing Rock Nation of North and South Dakota (USA). The calendars demonstrate that local plants and animals provide useful information for adaptation to climate change. However, the calendars also show the negative impacts of colonialism on Indigenous ecosystems and knowledge. Each of the calendars is unique based on the habitat and cultural traditions of the community. We suggest that sharing knowledge among communities would help them adapt their food systems to climate change. Key Points: Indigenous ecological calendars contribute to food sovereignty through adaptation to an increasingly variable climate Calendars developed with communities in the Standing Rock Nation focus on plants, animals, and fungi used in traditional foodways These calendars reveal the diversity of knowledge among Indigenous communities based on context‐specific ecological relations