Download - Restoring Tl'Ches SER2011 Poster
-
8/4/2019 Restoring Tl'Ches SER2011 Poster
1/1
Restoring Tlchs:An Ethnoecological Restoration Study in
Chatham Islands, British Columbia, CanadaIntroductionChatham Islands are part of a small archipelago, Tlchs, in the Salish
Sea off southeastern Vancouver Island, territory of the Songhees First
Nation. Chatham and adjacent islands (Fig.1) comprise nationally
endangered Garry oak ecosystems, supporting a wide diversity of
habitats for plant and wildlife communities.
Today, Songhees territory at Tlchs (meaning island) totals160ha,
including Chatham Islands, adjacent islets and the north portion of
Discovery Island. Southern Discovery Island is a Provincial Park. West Chatham Island is the birthplace and was childhood home for
Songhees elder Joan Morris [Sellemah]. Tlchs has been uninhabited
and untended for over 50 years now, entering in a process of rapid
environmental change and degradation after the locals moved inland to
the new Songhees Reserve in the late 1950s. Sellemah (Fig.2) longs to
see traditional gardens and orchards in Chatham Islands restored, as well
as her peoples relationship with their environment, for healthier and
more sustainable ways of life. My research honours this vision by
combining qualitative, quantitative and participatory approaches,
exploring how to best intervene in heavily degraded cultural landscapes
such as Tlchs in order to promote ecological and cultural integrity and
long-term sustainability to people and target ecosystems.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to foster innovative processes for restoration
intervention in Chatham Islands that will support the recovery of
ecosystems, cultural and traditional knowledge revitalization in the
landscape and community engagement, ultimately reversing trends of
biodiversity and cultural losses within this region.
ApproachThe following research questions and approaches (Table 1) emerged
from the proposed objectives:*Wild Design has emphasis on free-flowing ecological processes and deliberate human intervention to meet restoration objectives1**Cultural Keystone Place is analogous to the Cultural Keystone Species concept, defined by culturally salient species that shape ina major way the cultural identity of a people, as reflected in the fundamental roles these species have in diet, materials, medicine,
and/or spiritual practices2.
Thiago Gomes, [email protected] School of Environmental Studies
Terrestrial Cultural Ecosystem Mapping:The following maps are samples of TCEM results for the southern
portion of West Chatham Island (Fig.5 and Fig.6). This approach focuses
on geo-referencing and mapping information about cultural features of
the landscape, ecological communities, site characteristics, disturbances
and invasive species. Coastal bluff-meadow: agronomic grasses (Agrostis sp ., Bromus spp. + brackenfern (Pteridiumaquilinum) + yarrow (Achillea millefolium ) Also: Himalayan blackberry
(Rubus armeniacus), camas (Camassia sp.), chocolate lily (Fritillaria affinis) Nutrient:
poor Moisture: dry Disturbance: salty southwest winds, Canada geese (Branta
canadensis) landing and grazing, trampling by unauthorized visitors, invasive species.Cultural site: historical edible bulb gardens, frequent low-intensity fires. Woodland: shore pine (Pinus contorta subsp. contorta) + sitka willow (Salix
sitchensis) + Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus ). Also: Pacific crabapple (Malus
fusca), Saskatoonberry (Amelanchier alnifolia ), Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium ),
Trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus), English ivy (Hedera helix ) Nutrient: poor
Moisture: dry Disturbance: salty southwest winds, invasive species.Considerations The preliminary results indicate that Tlchsis a place with deepcultural and spiritual significance, not only to Sellemah and her family,
but also to other members of the Songhees Nation and neighbouring
First Nations. Tlchsis likely to be a CulturalKeystonePlace, as it
represents today the closest state of landscape to the one of theirancestors. Much still remains of TEKW and memory associated with
these islands. Ecological sensitivity is also an important issue as native
species are struggling in heavily invaded environments. WildDesign
principles ofclarity, fidelity, resilience, restraint, respect, responsibility
and engagementhave been observed throughout the entire process.
Intervention of these ecosystems will necessarily consider the sensitivity
of target ecosystems and local values, ultimately following the guidance
of elders and TEKW.Future Directions Prioritize sites for intervention and determine intervention activities
based on historical, ecological, cultural and community information. Risk assessment of target sites: ecological and cultural awareness
(e.g.: species at risk and sacred sites). Gatherings (work parties and traditional pit-cooking feasts) to
promote community awareness and Songhees presence at Tlchs. Initial steps for a long-term intervention plan towards sustainable
land use that promotes ecological and cultural integrity.
Acknowledgements: the Songhees First Nation, especially Joan Morris [Sellemah] and her family, Band Councilor Ron Sam,Lkwungen Community GardenCoordinator Wilfred George, former Lands Manager Cheryl Bryce, and the great volunteers from Songhees Youth and Garden team. Marilyn Lambert and Rod Davis for
transportation. Cara Barter (LE,NONET Student Research Apprenticeship); supervisors Dr. Eric Higgs and Dr. Nancy Turner. The Sarah Spencer Research Fund. References: 1Higgs, E (2003) Nature by Design: People, Natural Process and Ecological Restoration. MIT. 357p, 2Garibaldi Aand Turner, N (2004) Cultural keystone species: implications for ecological conservation and restoration. Ecolog y and Society 9(3): 1. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/vol9/iss3/art1/, 3Boas (1890), Hill-Tout (1905), Suttles, W(1974 ) The Economic Life of the Coast Salish of the Haro and Rosario Straits. Garlund: New York , Duff, W (1969) The Fort Victoria Treaties. BC Studies, no.3 Fall, Keddie, G (2003) Son ghees Pictorial: A
History of the Songhees People as seen by Outsiders, 1790-1912. Royal BC Museum. Victoria, Canada. 175p. ,Lutz, JS (2009) Makk:Anew history about aboriginal-white relations. UBC Press: Vancouver., 4Milton, SJ (2003) Emerging Ecosystems: a washing stone for ecologists, economists and sociologists? South
African Journal of Science 99. 404-406, Hobbs, R.J., Arico, S., Aronson, J., Brown, J.S., Bridgewater, P., Cramer, V.A., Epstein, P.R., Ewel, J.J., Klink, C.A., Lugo, A.E., Norton, D., Ojima, D., Richadson, D.M., Sanderson, E.W., Valladares, F., Vila, M., Zamora, R., Zobel, M., (2006). Novel ecosystems: theoretical and
management aspects of the new ecological world order. Global Ecology and Biogeography. 15, 17.
Preliminary ResultsAlthough this project is in its initial field work stage, there are some
significant results that elucidate and address to the research questions.Semi-structured interviews and participatory observation:Focus on TEKW and memories, significance and sense of place,
restoration/intervention directions and values. From in situ interviews
(Fig.3), some comments are highlighted:
- Youth: I feel home here. Peacefulnext time I want to explore more.
- Leader: mixed feelings strong and fragile at the same time.- Anotherelder, with tears in his eyes: I remember hearing my mom
crying because she missed this place. This is one of the happiest days of
my life, and there were many... I was so honoured to be walking on my
familys historical grounds for the first time in my life.
Timeline for Land Use Change in Tlchs:Archival research and interviews are generating a historical baseline for
land use change in the islands (Chart 1 and Fig.4).*Novel, no-analog or emerging ecosystems are are defined as ecosystems that differ in species composition, abundance and function
from present and past ecosystems, and that arise as a result of human action, environmental change, and the impacts of the deliberate
and inadvertent introduction of species from other regions4.Novelecosystems can emerge either from the degradation or invasion of
native or wildecosystems or from the abandonment of intensively managed systems.
Before 1800s: summer fishing villages, reef-net locations,
home of the Sk.ignes (the people of the islands).1862-3: Refuge for Songhees people during the smallpox
outbreak in southern Vancouver Island. Late 1800s: several families moved and settled in the
islands after the smallpox epidemic. Plank houses and
smoke houses. Families soon became responsible for most
of the fishing done by the group. Early 1900s: Islands became one of only few sources of
edible bulbs (mainly Camassia sp.), in prairies maintained
by frequent intentional low-intensity fires, since mainland
sites were being developed by European settlers. Sheep
were introduced to some of the islands. Population living
at Tlchs in 1915 was 22.1940s-1960s : Chatham Islands became home of Tom
James from 1940-1957. Modern potlaches and dances.
Houses, fences, sheep, chicken, fruit orchard, vegetable
garden, Camassia beds, fishing. Sellemahs childhood.
Families left the islands to join the inland reservations. 1970s-1980s: accidental fire took over West Chatham,
destroying the remnants of the old homestead and
facilitating the establishment of invasive species.
Discovery Island Marine Park established (1972).
Unpopulated, the islands became a desired route for
camping and outdoor activities. Songhees decided to close
the islands for non-community members after recurring fire
accidents and garbage accumulation in the islands and
beaches.1990s: First attempt to restore Camassia sp. and other
edible bulbs through fire and seeding treatments. 2011: State of the ecosystems today: novelecosystems*?Future: most appropriate intervention?
1862-3! Late1800s! Early1900s! 1940s-1960s! 1970s-!1980s! Late1990s! 2011!Before1800s! Future!
BCArchives:CM/C2291 BCArchives:PDP06962 BCArchives:PN05867 BCArchives:PN06489 JoanMorris Pers.Arch BCArchives:D02737 Beckwith,B.(1999) G om e s, T . ( 20 1 1) G om es , T . (2 0 11 )
1930 (NAPLa3066) 1954 (NAPLbc1671)
1980 (NAPLbcc248) 2005 (CRD)
Figure 1: Tlchs: Chatham
Islands and Discovery
Island, less than 5km from
Victoria, BC, Canada.
Primary Question Approach
How to best intervene in heavily
degraded cultural landscapes in order to
promote ecological and cultural integrity
and long- term sustainability to people
and target ecosystems at Tlchs,
Chatham Islands, territory of the
Songhees First Nation?
Ethnoecological
restoration:
ecological and social
sciences
Subsidiary Questions Approaches
Are the principles of wild design* and theconcept of cultural keystone place** pertinent
to determine the most appropriate intervention
approaches to Tlchs?
Participatory observation;
Semi-structured
interviews.
What are the spatial attributes of present and
historical ecological and cultural patterns,
structures and processes in West Chatham?
Archival research;
Semi-structured
interviews; Terrestrial-
Cultural Ecosystem
Mapping (TCEM).
How can TEKW (Traditional Ecological
Knowledge and Wisdom) initiate and guide the
recovery of ecological and cultural features
and promote community engagement at
Tlchs?
Semi-structured
interviews; Participatory
observation;
In-situ community
gatherings.
! Table 1: Research question and approaches employed in the present study.
Chatham Islands
Discovery IslandVictoria
VancouverIsland
Figure 2:JoanMorris, Sellemah
(pron. /Se-hl-le-mah/) atthe
SongheesBand Office, where she
works as the Coordinator for theHealth and Diabetes Centre.
Figure 4: West Chatham
Island, British Columbia.
Aerial photographs from the
National Aerial Photography
Library and Capital Regional
District. 1930: small
homestead on west side of
the island; 1954: expanded
homestead and fences, new
construction on the
northwestern portion of the
island; 1980: no
construction left after
accidental fire; 2005: heavily
invaded plant communities.
Figure 3: Sellemah and Thiago Gomes filming a
scene for the short documentary being produced
as an outcome of this research project.
- Sellemah: This is my home
For the first ten years of my life I
was raised by my grandparentsand great-grandparents in
Chatham Islands. We were very
self-sustaining we had our own
fruit trees, vegetable garden, fish,
sea urchins, crabs I would love
to see the youth as well as elders
to come together in this project to
promote our sustainability we
need to get back to our roots.
Chart 1: Illustrated timeline for land use change in Tlchs3.
Figure 5: Ecological Communities of the southern portion of West Chatham Island.
Figure 6: Important Species of the southern portion of West Chatham Island.1Camassiasp.Blue camasNative speciesEdible bulbs/
cultivated Small patches
2RubusarmeniacusHimalayan blackberryInvasive speciesDominant in shrub layerEncroaching native
vegetation
3 Cirsium arvenseCanada thistleInvasive speciesCovering east
portion of bluff
area
4Hederahelix English IvyInvasive speciesEncroaching
shrubs and small
trees on east side
5CystisusscopariusScotch broomInvasive speciesColonizing rocky
outcropSmall shrubs
and I dream about a place where our
people couldhealsomewhere
peaceful...take a break from troubles of
life and heal at the land.