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A two-eyed seeing approach to predicting the distribution of skʷenkʷínem (Claytonia lanceolata), a culturally significant plant Pilat, Hannah
Abstract
Colonialism and a changing climate have threatened culturally significant food plants and the well-being of those who rely on them. An example is skʷenkʷínem (western spring beauty, Claytonia lanceolata Pursh), which is significant for Secwépemc People of Skeetchestn Indian Band. Skeetchestn is located in the Deadman Valley, in the interior of what we now call British Columbia. skʷenkʷínem once comprised a large portion of Secwépemc diet, but is no longer feasible to harvest as a meaningful food source. We used a Two-Eyed Seeing approach to species distribution modelling, beginning with semi-structured interviews with three Skeetchestn community members. The interviews produced five major themes: nourishment, colonization, interconnectedness, kinship, and places, with an emphasis on the importance of the Skeetchestn community skʷenkʷínem patch. Using a set of predictors informed by the Knowledge from the interviews, and several bioclimatic variables, we used an ensemble modeling approach to predict suitable habitat for skʷenkʷínem over its known geographic extent. We predict a decrease in suitable habitat from the present to 2081-2100 across skʷenkʷínem full geographic extent and an increase within Skeetchestn Territory. These predictions use Skeetchestn’s existing Knowledge of skʷenkʷínem in our predictive models to support Skeetchestn’s goals of food sovereignty. We also discuss the existing field of species distribution modelling regarding culturally significant species, and how geographical tools can support Indigenous communities’ decision-making and sovereignty assertion. Our study is an example of reproducible species distribution modelling done in partnership with an Indigenous community, balancing the need for open science and ethical and equitable research.
Item Metadata
| Title |
A two-eyed seeing approach to predicting the distribution of skʷenkʷínem (Claytonia lanceolata), a culturally significant plant
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| Creator | |
| Supervisor | |
| Publisher |
University of British Columbia
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| Date Issued |
2024
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| Description |
Colonialism and a changing climate have threatened culturally significant food plants and the well-being of those who rely on them. An example is skʷenkʷínem (western spring beauty, Claytonia lanceolata Pursh), which is significant for Secwépemc People of Skeetchestn Indian Band. Skeetchestn is located in the Deadman Valley, in the interior of what we now call British Columbia. skʷenkʷínem once comprised a large portion of Secwépemc diet, but is no longer feasible to harvest as a meaningful food source. We used a Two-Eyed Seeing approach to species distribution modelling, beginning with semi-structured interviews with three Skeetchestn community members. The interviews produced five major themes: nourishment, colonization, interconnectedness, kinship, and places, with an emphasis on the importance of the Skeetchestn community skʷenkʷínem patch. Using a set of predictors informed by the Knowledge from the interviews, and several bioclimatic variables, we used an ensemble modeling approach to predict suitable habitat for skʷenkʷínem over its known geographic extent. We predict a decrease in suitable habitat from the present to 2081-2100 across skʷenkʷínem full geographic extent and an increase within Skeetchestn Territory. These predictions use Skeetchestn’s existing Knowledge of skʷenkʷínem in our predictive models to support Skeetchestn’s goals of food sovereignty. We also discuss the existing field of species distribution modelling regarding culturally significant species, and how geographical tools can support Indigenous communities’ decision-making and sovereignty assertion. Our study is an example of reproducible species distribution modelling done in partnership with an Indigenous community, balancing the need for open science and ethical and equitable research.
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| Genre | |
| Type | |
| Language |
eng
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| Date Available |
2024-06-17
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| Provider |
Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
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| Rights |
Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
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| DOI |
10.14288/1.0443982
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| URI | |
| Degree | |
| Program | |
| Affiliation | |
| Degree Grantor |
University of British Columbia
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| Graduation Date |
2024-09
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| Campus | |
| Scholarly Level |
Graduate
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| Rights URI | |
| Aggregated Source Repository |
DSpace
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Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International