Water: A First Nations' Spiritual and Ecological Perspective

Water quality and availability is an urgent global concern. This paper documents, through the use of ethnographic research methods, First Nations concerns and perspectives about water. The paper s scope is primarily limited to the views of three Elders from the southern Interior of British Columbia:...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BC journal of ecosystems and management 2001-12, Vol.1 (1)
Main Author: Blackstock, Michael
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Native North Americans
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Summary:Water quality and availability is an urgent global concern. This paper documents, through the use of ethnographic research methods, First Nations concerns and perspectives about water. The paper s scope is primarily limited to the views of three Elders from the southern Interior of British Columbia: Mary Thomas from the Secwepemc, Millie Michell from the Nlaka pamux, and Mary Louie from the Syilx Nation. Secondary literature sources complement the Elders sharing of Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK). The Elders emphasis on the spiritual impor-tance of water is contrasted with Western science s emphasis on water s unique physical and chemical properties. This fundamental difference raises questions about Western science s approach to freshwater ecosystem management and study. Ultimately, this paper documents the wisdom of highly respected Elders about water in relation to the culture and freshwater ecosystems of South-Central British Columbia.
ISSN:1488-4666
1488-4674
DOI:10.22230/jem.2001v1n1a216