Using Geographic Information Systems to Link Ecological Databases with Blackfoot Traditional Environmental Knowledge Paulette Ma
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USING GEOGRAPHIC INFORMATION SYSTEMS TO LINK ECOLOGICAL DATABASES WITH BLACKFOOT TRADITIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL KNOWLEDGE PAULETTE MARGARET FOX B.Sc. The University of Calgary 2001 A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Lethbridge In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree MASTER OF SCIENCE LETHBRIDGE, ALBERTA April, 2005 © Paulette M. Fox 2005 ABSTRACT Contemporary science has a minimal temporal experience with regional ecology. A linkage with Blackfoot/Blackfcct traditional environmental knowledge and information provides a unique perspective for notions of sustainability. This thesis explored the cultural contexts of two ways of perceiving the surroundings in the context of environmental science. Using GIS (Geographic Information Systems) to link ecological databases and Blackfoot environmental knowledge must be executed with caution. Before linkages could be established, common ground and residual barriers were identified. As a pilot analysis, Blackfoot significant sites were linked to Eco-region polygons. It is the association to water, weather and/or climate that suggests a significant link between paradigms. Missing linkages provide a basis for dialogue and future research considerations. iii n ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I am indebted to the individuals who participated as mentors in the research design. Their contributions provided significant depth to the overall themes presented in the paper. Much thanks and appreciation are extended to Johan Dormaar, Beverly Hungry Wolf, Stan Knowlton, Leroy Littlebear, Duane Mistaken Chief, Pablo Russell, Harrison Wolf Child and Allen Wolf Leg, Sr. Collectively, your teachings provided inspiration and much needed motivation to complete the document. Of particular mention are Camille and Lucy Russell and Reggie Blackplume who provided direction and advice. I would like to thank my supervisor and co-supervisor, Dr. Jim Byrne and Dr. Leroy Littlebear for their assistance throughout the design of the research proposal and the execution of it. I would like to extend my thanks to Dr. Stefan Kienzle for his role as committee member and specifically for his assistance in developing the base map and map series, without his guidance and contributions, the GIS component of the research would not have developed as efficiently. A special thank you to Dr. Leroy Littlebear for providing me with the opportunity to participate in the process of dialogue; without which the path of bringing world-views together would no doubt remain abstract. I would like to sincerely acknowledge the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) for providing me with a post graduate scholarship. 1 would like to thank the Blood Tribe Administration and Land Management for providing both financial and in-kind contributions. IV This project would not have been possible without the contributions of spatial digital information provided by: Dennis Sheppard, Richard Hardin (PFRA), as well as Stan Knowlton and Dr. Kienzle. Much appreciation and gratitude is extended to the Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) for providing me with the tools necessary for bringing two knowledge bases together. As well, to Elizabeth Dixon for her guidance and support that has carried over from 1996. I would especially like to thank my parents, Mr. and Mrs. Tony and Teresa Fox for their continued support and love. And for the many blessings of my family and extended family and friends whose support has been unfailing. I would like to dedicate this work to my son, Austin - Kiisoum. You are my inspiration. You are my buffalo spirit. I would not have had the strength to type these pages were it not for the courage you showed me. Thank you for all that you are. Kitsikakomim Kiisoum. v TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................. Hi ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS........................................................................................ iv TABLE OF CONTENTS............................................................................................ vi LIST OF TABLES.......................................................................................................ix LIST OF FIGURES......................................................................................................x 1.0 INTRODUCTION...................................................................................................1 1.1 Introduction.................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Objectives......................................................................................................5 1.3 Caveat............................................................................................................ 6 1.3.1 Subjective Knowledge in Objective Parameters................................ 8 1.4 Summary...................................................................................................... 12 2.0 ORAL TESTIMONY AND LITERATURE REVIEW.....................................15 2.1 Introduction.................................................................................................15 2.2 Oral testimony.............................................................................................18 2.2.1 Interview Context Summary.............................................................. 19 2.2.1.1. Johan, Dormaar........................................................ 19 2.2.1.2. Knowlton, Stan...................................................... 20 2.2.1.3. Littlebear, Leroy......................................................20 2.2.1.4. Mistaken Chief, Duane............................................22 2.2.1.5. Russell, Pablo..........................................................24 2.2.1.6. Wolf Child, Harrison...............................................26 2.2.1.7. Wolf Leg, Allen.......................................................27 2.2.1.8. Hungry Wolf, Beverly.............................................29 2.3. Common Ground......................................................................................30 2.4 Barriers and Buffalo................................................................................... 32 2.4.1. Cultural Links: Bison bison and Blackfoot Women......................32 2.4.1.1. Iiniskim: "Buffalo” stone....................................... 33 2.4.1.2. Moatokiiks: "Buffalo” Women’s Society..............34 2.4.2. Early Settlement Period - Late nineteenth Century Era...............35 2.4.2.1. Fur Trade: Effects to Bison bison Populations........36 2.4.2.2. Portrayal and Perceptions of Blackfoot Women...39 2.5 Indo-European Perspectives of the Environment...................................... 42 2.5.1. Classical vs. Quantum Perceptions of Reality..............................43 2.5.2. The Particle Zoo.............................................................................. 45 vi 2.5.3. Ecosystem Classifications: Eco-Rcgions...................................... 47 2.5.4. Ecosystem Health...........................................................................50 2.5.5. Ecosystem Management.................................................................51 2.6 Blackfoot interaction with their environment............................................ 52 2.6.1. VALUES: Society Life..................................................................54 2.6.2. PRACTICES: Patterns of Life...................................................... 58 2.7 Ownership and ideas of Intellectual Property.......................................... 61 2.7.1 Compensation: Monetary Motivation?........................................ 61 2.7.2. Autonomy vs. Authority in the Information Age.........................62 2.8 Summary.....................................................................................................63 3.0 METHODOLOGY.............................................................................................. 65 3.1 Introduction............................................................................................... 65 3.2 Technical requirements.............................................................................66 3.2.1. Processing and storage capacity................................................... 67 3.2.2. Software Specifications and Data Transferability........................67 3.3 Data Capture.............................................................................................. 67 3.3.1 Ecological Databases...............................................................67 3.3.1.1 Agrasid Derived Coverages........................................ 69 3.3.1.2 Southern Alberta Hydrology....................................... 70 3.3.1.3 Southern Alberta DEM............................................... 70 3.3.1.4 Surficial Geology of Canada...................................... 70 3.3.1.5 PFRA Watershed Project............................................ 70 3.3.2 Blackfoot environmental knowledge...................................... 71 3.3.2.1 Archaeological Database............................................ 71 3.3.2.2 Blackfoot/Blood Winter Count................................... 72 3.3.2.3 Blackfoot Place Names............................................... 74 3.4 Data Manipulation..................................................................................... 76 3.4.1. Scale selection..............................................................................