"When the Wild Roses Bloom": Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Change in Northwestern North America.

Area of Science:

• Indigenous Knowledge Systems
• Environmental Science
• Climate Change Adaptation

Background:

• Indigenous Peoples in Northwestern North America traditionally utilized predictable environmental cycles.
• Variability and change have always been integral to Indigenous lifeways, managed through long-term monitoring and deep ecological understanding.
• Cultural practices, including social relationships, language, and ceremonies, facilitated adaptation to natural cycles.

Purpose of the Study:

• To outline how Indigenous Peoples have historically embraced predictability and change in their environments.
• To address the specific threats posed by global climate change and biodiversity loss to Indigenous lifeways.
• To explore Indigenous perspectives on recognizing, adapting to, and potentially reversing climate change impacts.

Main Methods:

• Compilation of contributions from numerous Indigenous Knowledge holders across Northwestern North America.
• Analysis of traditional ecological knowledge related to environmental cycles and adaptation strategies.
• Examination of cultural practices and their role in maintaining ecological balance.

Main Results:

• Indigenous Peoples historically managed ecosystems to maintain optimal conditions for preferred species, reducing variability.
• Colonization and global climate change have drastically impacted Indigenous lifeways and environments.
• Traditional knowledge offers pathways for adapting to and potentially mitigating climate change through respectful human-nature relationships.

Conclusions:

• Indigenous Peoples possess extensive knowledge for navigating environmental change, rooted in deep connections with the natural world.
• Urgent need to recognize and address the disproportionate impacts of climate change on Indigenous communities.
• Developing respectful, reciprocal relationships with the other-than-human world is crucial for reversing climate change and ensuring ecological resilience.