Disrupted ecosystem and human phenology at the climate frontline in Gwich'in First Nation territory

Shifting Seasons and Threats to Harvest, Culture, and Self-Identity: A Personal Narrative on the Consequences of Changing Climate

Northern Indigenous communities are experiencing rapid climate change and disrupted seasonal transitions. The Teetł'it Gwich'in use a five-season calendar to measure the year, indicating the timing of seasonal events and associated cultural practices. From trapping in the spring, to fishing in the summer and fall, and hunting in the fall and winter, the Gwich'in have moved upon the land with the changing seasons. However, disrupted seasonal synchrony can disconnect cultural practices from suitable conditions, creating risks to self and culture. With warming temperatures, communities have observed slower river freeze-up in the fall and faster spring thaw, which has impacted the timing of when fishers can safely set their nets under river ice. Historically, freeze-up occurred in October, providing several weeks when fishers could set nets under ice while łuk dagaii (broad whitefish, Coregonus nasus) traveled downriver. Today, freeze-up often begins in November, and fishing during the łuk dagaii migration requires setting nets while the ice is thinner and the river is not completely frozen. This presents risks to individuals working to maintain a fundamental cultural practice. Here, Arlyn Charlie, a Teetł'it Gwich'in artist whose career focuses on culture and language, uses personal narrative to explore impacts of climate change on Gwich'in culture. Arlyn notes how these changes are making the traditional seasonal calendar unreliable, and explores how changing patterns among animals and the landscape no longer provide consistent, safe harvesting conditions. With a growing risk of working on thin ice, ongoing cultural practices are threatened.

“I see my culture starting to disappear”: Anishinaabe perspectives on the socioecological impacts of climate change and future research needs

Climate change disproportionately affects Indigenous Peoples because of strong connections between environmental, cultural, and spiritual well-being. While much of the global discourse surrounding climate change is founded in Western science, the holistic, place-based knowledge of Indigenous Peoples offers a complementary way of understanding and mitigating climate change impacts. The goal of this research was to elevate Anishinaabe concerns, observations, and perspectives about climate change impacts and future research needs. We organized a workshop called “Connecting Guardians in a Changing World” where participants shared concerns about animal and plant life cycles, water cycles and water quality, and impacts to ways of life, including reduced capacity to perform cultural practices and erosion of their knowledge. Participants highlighted the challenge of prioritizing a single impact of climate change, emphasizing that impacts to the environment and ways of life are interconnected. Participants also expressed the need for research and policy that move beyond interdisciplinarity to include intercultural philosophy and research that better reflects Indigenous worldviews and incorporates Indigenous methodologies. Moving forward, meaningful partnerships and opportunities for knowledge sharing should be prioritized in climate change discourse to ensure solutions are generated together, with all of the tools and knowledge available.