Great Lakes tribes’ traditional ecological knowledge could be crucial in addressing climate change

Tribal knowledge could be the answer, but is it being heard?

Robert Van Zile Jr., chairman of the Mole Lake Ojibwe Tribe, expressed dismay as he saw the devastation caused by brown spot disease on Rice Lake. The disease had decimated this year’s wild rice crop, which is a staple in the Ojibwe diet and an important part of their heritage. The tribe had to deny researchers and non-tribal harvesters access to the rice beds to ensure there was enough for tribal members. Researchers believe that climate change, with its intense rainfall and hotter, more humid weather, is contributing to the spread of the fungus causing the disease.

Indigenous communities in the Great Lakes region have been practicing good land stewardship and sharing their knowledge with others, but their message has often gone unheard. Tribal leaders believe that their traditional ecological knowledge is crucial in safeguarding resources and cleaning up the environment for everyone. However, it remains to be seen whether authorities and the wider public will pay attention.

The responsibility also lies with the U.S. government, which tribal communities argue has failed to consistently uphold their treaty rights by not adequately protecting resources on reservations and ceded territories. For example, the federal government’s record on safeguarding tribal resources has room for improvement, according to Michael Regan, the administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Efforts are being made to engage with tribal leaders and strengthen relationships, but symbolic progress needs to translate into concrete actions.

Treaty rights and protecting the environment

Wisconsin is home to 11 federally recognized tribes, including six Ojibwe tribes. The Ojibwe people migrated to the Great Lakes region over 1,500 years ago and the wild rice, known as manoomin, became central to their identity. However, the Ojibwe tribes were forced to cede millions of acres of land to the U.S. government through a series of treaties in the 19th century. These treaties granted tribes the rights to hunt, fish, and gather in off-reservation territories.

Interpretations of the treaties have led to disagreements over natural resources. In 1983, a federal court of appeals ruled in favor of the tribes, affirming their right to hunt, fish, and gather in ceded territories. This landmark decision shed light on the importance of protecting related resources. Understanding and honoring treaty rights means not just allowing the physical act of hunting or gathering, but ensuring the preservation of the environment where these resources thrive.

However, even when treaty rights are affirmed, collaboration between the government and tribes is not always forthcoming. The recent controversy surrounding the wolf hunt in Wisconsin highlights the breakdown of communication and cooperation. While the state scheduled a hunting season for gray wolves after they were removed from the endangered species list, tribal officials argue that wolves are necessary for a healthy ecosystem. Balancing the interests of different stakeholders while protecting natural resources remains a challenge.

The importance of traditional ecological knowledge

There is a growing recognition that integrating tribes' traditional ecological knowledge with western science can lead to better land management practices. Traditional ecological knowledge is seen by some as a science in its own right, incorporating thousands of years of experimentation and trial and error. It offers a different perspective, emphasizing gratitude and forward-thinking solutions. This mindset shift can help restore the human connection with nature and the land, which is often overlooked in Western thinking.

Tribal knowledge can provide essential context and details about natural resources that have been passed down for generations. It offers a more holistic understanding of the environment, going beyond a reductionist approach. By excluding this knowledge, decision-makers risk making incomplete and uninformed choices that may have long-term consequences. Traditional knowledge can also contribute to a more sustainable and reciprocal relationship with the environment, focusing on partnership rather than exploitation.

Fires are a practical example of how traditional ecological knowledge can inform land management practices. Ojibwe communities have used prescribed burns for centuries to regenerate forests, prevent wildfires, and enhance blueberry production. Western society's suppression of fires has disrupted these practices, but there is increasing recognition of the importance of reintroducing controlled burns. Collaborative agreements between tribal communities and government agencies are being forged to restore this traditional land management practice.

The way forward: Collaboration and recognition

The way forward requires increased collaboration between tribes and other stakeholders, recognizing the shared interest in protecting natural resources and ecosystems. Expanded legal action, such as the concept of Free, Prior and Informed Consent, can give tribes more say in project negotiations that impact their lands. The U.S. can also adopt a co-management model that acknowledges the expertise and rights of tribes in managing natural resources.

Shifting towards Indigenous thinking, which emphasizes long-term solutions and reciprocity with the environment, can benefit everyone as climate change continues to unfold. The traditional knowledge of tribes around the Great Lakes has the potential to take center stage in addressing the challenges of climate change and protecting the land, air, and water for future generations. However, it requires a willingness to listen, learn, and act on the wisdom shared by Indigenous communities.