Boozhoo (Hello) G-WOW Project Partners

Transcription

1 Boozhoo (Hello) Gikinoo wizhiwe Onji Waaban (Guiding for Tomorrow) or G-WOW Changing Climate, Changing Culture Initiative A New Model for Climate Change Literacy & Action Cathy Cat Techtmann- Environmental Outreach State Specialist University of Wisconsin-Extension NOAA Climate Steward on behalf of G-WOW Project Partners G-WOW Project Partners Additional support Funding Phone: ext

2 Project Location: Located in the heart of the Lake Superior Chippewa (Ojibwe) Indian Country. This area includes 11 Ojibwe Tribes living within the Ceded Territory Based at the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center Ashland, WI but applicable to other locations and cultures G-WOW Roots Evidence that climate change is affecting the sustainability of Lake Superior coastal resources, communities, and cultures Impacts of climate change to Ojibwe treaty rights and traditional cultural practices within the Ceded Territory Traditional climate literacy models were not working local, place-based evidence of climate change gained through experiential learning is as, or more effective than, simply studying analytical climate change data to increasing climate change literacy. The Psychology of Climate Change Communication, Columbia University 2009 Phone: ext

3 The Lake Superior Ojibwe have relied on the sustainability of key plant and animal species for generations to support subsistence, cultural, and spiritual practices or lifeways Tribes have traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of natural systems that provides place-based indicators of climate change impacts for people of all cultures G-WOW Key Principles Climate change is real Humans contribute to climate change Harvesting birch barka boreal species that relies on a cool climate Weather and climate are different Climate affects culture We can make a difference Projected change in Wisconsin s annual average temperatures in ºF, Phone: ext

4 Why Is the G-WOW Model Unique? It based on understanding how climate change affects habitat conditions needed for the sustainability of plant or animal species that supports a cultural practice. Culture informing science Creates a culturally relevant climate change perspective Links TEK and place-based evidence with scientific climate research Makes the model transferrable across different cultures Promotes action through service learning G-WOW uses climate impacts on Ojibwe cultural practices as an indicator of a changing climate for all cultures Appling G-WOW model: Wild Ricing Manoomin (wild rice) is an important species to the Ojibwe for subsistence, spiritual, and ceremonial purposes. The Ojibwe lifeway of wild rice harvesting depends on the sustainability of manoomin. The sustainability of manoomin depends on habitats with shallow water, moderate water level fluctuations, and cool growing season temperatures. Phone: ext

5 Do culture and science agree that climate change is affecting the sustainability of manoomin? CULTURE, PLACE-BASED EVIDENCE Historic cancellations/disruptions in wild rice harvests ( ) SCIENCE-BASED EVIDENCE: Projected change in climate variables affecting habitat conditions for wild rice survival HEAT DROUGHT GUSHERS Annual average temperatures in ºF, Frequency of 90-degree days Change in frequency of 2 + precip Projected changes in climate variables (A1B scenario) Example: applying the G-WOW model Cultural Practice Key Species Place-based & Scientific Evidence Requires cool moist forest habitats, cold winters for sugar production What does this mean for sustainability of sugar maple, the cultural practices of maple sugaring, the future of businesses that rely on sugar maple? Projected change in Wisconsin s annual average temperatures in ºF, Phone: ext

6 G-WOW Outreach Tools Web Curriculum Experiential learning Climate Change Discovery Center Educator Training Institutes Ojibwe language, TEK, and cultural elements infused Multi-cultural perspectives Talking Circle Sharing service learning projects via an interactive blog Ojibwe Lifeways Place-based evidence of climate impacts on the sustainability of key species supporting 4 seasonal Ojibwe cultural practices based on TEK and cultural perspectives What Can We Do? Taking action through climate service learning projects G-WOW Web Curriculum On-line climate change service learning curriculum Represents application of the 4-season G-WOW model Investigate the Science Climate projections from federal, state, and tribal sources providing opportunities to explore science-based perspectives to determine if culture and science agree Phone: ext

7 Miigwech! (Thank you) For more information, please contact Cat Techtmann-Environmental Outreach State Specialist University of Wisconsin-Extension Phone: ext