Blue ecology: A cross-cultural approach to reconciling forest-related conflicts

Fresh water has a unifying role at the ecosystem and human level. Water, without fail, is recognized throughout the globe as crucial to human life. By examining a dispute resolution case study relating to Mt. Ida, near Salmon Arm, B.C., this paper offers a probe of the question “What is water?”. An...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:BC journal of ecosystems and management 2005-10, Vol.6 (2)
Main Author: Blackstock, Michael D.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Ecology
Ecosystems
Forests
Native North Americans
Salmonidae
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Fresh water has a unifying role at the ecosystem and human level. Water, without fail, is recognized throughout the globe as crucial to human life. By examining a dispute resolution case study relating to Mt. Ida, near Salmon Arm, B.C., this paper offers a probe of the question “What is water?”. An Elder poses three questions about fresh water's role in the forest ecosystem; the answers are sought using the concept of “blue ecology,” which interweaves Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Western science. The purpose is to reveal cross-cultural assumptions and definitions of fresh water, and to assist in reconciling forest-related conflicts between First Nations and government agencies. Because water is a common interest to all people, blue ecology is proposed as a means towards this reconciliation. The paper presents five guiding principles that should be useful to mediators and forests managers seeking to build co-operative cross-cultural solutions.
ISSN:1488-4666
1488-4674
DOI:10.22230/jem.2005v6n2a313