A two-eyed seeing approach to predicting the distribution of skʷenkʷínem (Claytonia lanceolata), a culturally significant plant
department or school: Science, Irving K. Barber Faculty of (Okanagan)
department or school: Biology, Department of (Okanagan)
data provider: DSpace
degree campus: UBCO
creator: Pilat, Hannah
issued: 2024-06-17T22:03:30Z
issued: 2024
related degree: Master of Science - MSc
degree grantor: University of British Columbia
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.
aggregated CHO: https://circle.library.ubc.ca/rest/handle/2429/88478
note: A Two-Eyed Seeing approach to predicting the distribution of skwenkwínem (Claytonia lanceolata), a culturally significant plant by Hannah Pilat B.Sc., The University of Calgary, 2021 A THESIS SUBMITTED IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE in THE COLLEGE OF GRADUATE STUDIES (Biology) THE UNIVERSITY OF BRITISH COLUMBIA (Okanagan) June 2024 © Hannah Pilat, 2024 ii The following individuals certify that they have read, and recommend to the College of Graduate Studies for acceptance, a thesis/dissertation entitled: A Two-Eyed Seeing approach to predicting the distribution of skwenkwínem (Claytonia lanceolata), a culturally significant plant submitted by Hannah Pilat in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Biology Examining Committee: Dr. Jason Pither, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, Biology Co-supervisor Dr. David Ensing, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Co-supervisor Dr. Fiona McDonald, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Community, Culture and Global Studies Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Adam Ford, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Science, Biology Supervisory Committee Member Dr. Jon Corbett, Irving K. Barber Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Community, Culture and Global Studies University Examiner iii 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. …
has type: Thesis/Dissertation
date issued: 2024-09
is shown at: 10.14288/1.0443982
language: eng
degree discipline: Biology
provider: Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library
publisher: University of British Columbia
rights: Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International
rights URI: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
scholar level: Graduate
contributor: Pither, Jason
contributor: Ensing, David
type: Text
identifier URI: http://hdl.handle.net/2429/88478