Three Questions for the Big Stage: A Conversation with Panelists Dawn Blake, Serra Hoagland, and Nisogaabokwe Melonee Montano
By
Amy Juliana
The plenaries at SAF National Convention excite and re-ignite attendees’ spirits about being forestry and natural resource professionals—jolting us to learn, grow, inform, and influence as a professional community. This year’s plenary speakers will fulfill attendees’ diverse learning preferences and enrich the continuing education experience of convention. In this three-part blog series, you will read first-hand accounts from our plenary speakers about the plans for their presentations and thoughts on the sector.
Our final plenary “Moving beyond 'Traditional:' Indigenizing Forestry at its Roots” will be hosted on Friday, October 27 at 1:15 pm.
Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) has recently been gaining attention throughout the world. However, local indigenous communities and the knowledges they hold have been in existence and evolving since time immemorial. Panelists Dawn Blake, Dr. Serra Hoagland, and Nisogaabokwe Montano will discuss cultural and ecological significance of fire on landscapes, indigenizing forest management, building inclusive collaborations with indigenous partners, and respecting and valuing indigenous knowledges.
1. SAF: "What is the best resource for people who want to dive deeper into this topic?"
Blake: The
Indian Forest Management Assessment document is a good resource. It’s a compilation of goals, trends and issues that Tribes throughout the country are embarking on and facing. I was quite surprised in my participation that my shared perspectives were not dissimilar to those of other forest managers. In addition, the Karuk Tribe as a Tribe has embarked on compelling projects that juxtapose food sovereignty to forest management, which are inextricably linked.
Hoagland: Check out the independent, congressionally mandated, Indian Forest Management Assessment Team (IFMAT) IV report on the
Intertribal Timber Council webpage that provides specific findings and recommendations on the status of tribal forests and forest management in the United States. Folks can also check out our recent contributed volume entitled Wildlife Stewardship on Tribal Lands, which is a great resource for people to learn more about how tribes are managing their wildlife today. Lastly, several
Journal of Forestry articles including our recent
Assessment of Tribal Research Needs (Dockry et al.) and
our special issue on tribal forest management featuring more than 2 dozen articles focusing on tribal forest management may be of interest.
Montano: There are several wonderful books, guides, webinars, groups, etc. that are out there. To name a few:
•
Tools: Climate Change Tribal Adaptation Menu. I was a co-author on this resource and a co-facilitator of workshops.
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Books: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer and
Social Forestry: Tending the Land as People of Place by Tomi Hazel Vaarde with a foreword by
Starhawk.
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Webinars: Webinar Series: "Incorporating Indigenous Knowledges into Federal Research and Management."
•
Podcasts: The Native Seed Pod - Ep 22 TEK Warriors and
The Water We Swim In - Ep “Fire, Blueberries, and Treaty Rights.
2. SAF: "What advice do you have for decision makers?"
Blake: The advice that I have for decision makers is to build relationships. I see that happening, but as an analogy just as it’s important to have a relationship to the Forest to properly care for it, that relationship to Tribes and people is also important. Although Tribes have a similar plight, there is not a one size fits all solution to address Tribe needs. There must be some flexibility, and understanding those nuances comes from relating.
Hoagland: Get to know the real history of the United States and the consequences it has had on American Indians historically and today. Our collective history (in terms of broken treaties, mismanagement of trust assets, land acquisitions, severe underrepresentation and colonization) creates immense challenges for the future of Indian Country but there is a unique model to how tribes are managing their natural resources that we can learn from.
Montano: To create and hold space for Indigenous voices and when subjects such as natural resources and forestry are being discussed, especially when major decisions are being made that can impact tribal people, invite tribes to the table. Also, that the time should start now when it comes to engaging in conversations with tribal people and understanding TEK, Treaty Rights, sovereignty, government to government obligations and related policies.
3. SAF: "What do you want the audience to walk away with after your presentation?"
Blake: I would like the audience to know that forests and habitats in California are managed for the use and benefit of the forest products that natives are in relationship with, and that differs slightly for every Tribe. The lack of management in the last century has been devastating to the species of plants and animals that evolved with fire. Natives, because of their management are a part of the ecosystem, and the imbalance that we are currently witnessing is because that role has been removed.
Hoagland: I hope audience members will consider how they can 1) de-colonize their forestry work, 2) increase American Indian and Alaskan Native representation in natural resource management decision making, and 3) think critically about the 7th generation principle while supporting efforts that amplify and strengthen tribal self-determination.
Montano: Same answer as question two.
Krause (Moderator): As the moderator for this session, I hope that the audience walks away with the ability to internally reflect upon their view of diversity in natural resources. I want folks to walk away pondering how we can do better, wondering why including Traditional Ecological Knowledge into our forestry and fire practices hasn't been taking place with white foresters for years. I hope the audience asks themselves "why haven't we been doing this all along?" and I urge each and every forester in the room to come up with the next step they can take to incorporate TEK into their work before they leave the room.
Save the date for our “Moving beyond "Traditional": Indigenizing Forestry at its Roots?” panel discussion at the 2023 SAF National Convention Friday, October 27 from 1:15–3 p.m. The awards ceremony will begin our presentation followed by the panel.
For more details, visit our plenary webpage.