The University of Maine DigitalCommons@UMaine Electronic Theses and Dissertations Fogler Library Winter 12-16-2016 Wabanaki Access to Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) within Coastal Maine's Diminishing Open Land Tradition Amanda Marie Ellis University of Maine, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd Part of the Cultural History Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Legal Commons, and the Social and Cultural Anthropology Commons Recommended Citation Ellis, Amanda Marie, "Wabanaki Access to Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) within Coastal Maine's Diminishing Open Land Tradition" (2016). Electronic Theses and Dissertations. 2531. https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/etd/2531 This Open-Access Dissertation is brought to you for free and open access by DigitalCommons@UMaine. It has been accepted for inclusion in Electronic Theses and Dissertations by an authorized administrator of DigitalCommons@UMaine. 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WABANAKI ACCESS TO SWEETGRASS HIEROCHLOE ODORATA (L) P.Beauv WITHIN COASTAL MAINE’S DIMINISHING OPEN LAND TRADITION By Amanda Marie Ellis B.A. University of Maine, 2010 MELP Vermont Law School, 2012 A DISSERTATION Submitted in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Forest Resources) The Graduate School The University of Maine December 2016 Advisory Committee: John Daigle, Professor of Forest Recreation Management, Advisor Sandra De Urioste-Stone, Assistant Professor of Nature-based Tourism Marla Emery, Research Geographer United States Department of Agriculture: Forest Service Cynthia Isenhour, Assistant Professor of Anthropology Darren Ranco, Associate Professor of Anthropology; Chair of Native American Programs and Director of Native American Research DISSERTATION ACCEPTANCE STATEMENT On behalf of the Graduate Committee for Amanda Ellis I affirm that this manuscript is the final and accepted dissertation. Signatures of all committee members are on file with the Graduate School at the University of Maine, 42 Stodder Hall, Orono, Maine. ________________________________________________________________________ Dr. John Daigle, Professor Date ii LIBRARY RIGHTS STATEMENT In presenting this dissertation in partial fulfillment of the requirements for an advanced degree at The University of Maine, I agree that the Library shall make it freely available for inspection. I further agree that permission for “fair use” copying of this dissertation for scholarly purposes may be granted by the Librarian. It is understood that any copying or publication of this dissertation for financial gain shall not be allowed without my written permission. Signature: Date: WABANAKI ACCESS TO SWEETGRASS HIEROCHLOE ODORATA (L) P.Beauv WITHIN COASTAL MAINE’S DIMINISHING OPEN LAND TRADITION By Amanda Marie Ellis Dissertation Advisor: Dr. John Daigle An Abstract of the Dissertation Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy (in Forest Resources) December 2016 Nontimber forest products (NTFPs), refer to a class of resources (i.e. moss, fungi, mushrooms, plants, etc.) gathered in both rural and urban landscapes. NTFPs are utilized by a variety of cultures all over the world and are a critical part of medicinal, spiritual, dietary, and economic practices. In fact, some NTFP species are so critical to people that they are considered ‘cultural keystone species’ (Garibaldi and Turner 2004). This designation means that without access to the NTFP, cultural survival is at risk. This is the case in Maine where the Wabanaki, a confederacy of four tribes (Passamaqouddy, Penobscot, Mikmaq, and Maliseet), utilize sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata (L) P.Beauv.) for a variety of cultural practices. Sweetgrass is a perennial grass that grows in rhizomatous mats (Baumflek et al. 2010). Sweetgrass is classified as a wetland plant and typically inhabits riverbanks, moist meadows, and places along the coast (Baumflek et al. 2010) The Wabanaki use sweetgrass for a variety of purposes. For example, sweetgrass is part of creation narratives, and figures prominently in fiber arts and ceremonies. Sweetgrass is a critical component of Wabanaki fancy baskets, intricately designed baskets that are sold and collected throughout the world (Neuman 2010). Wabanaki basketry traditions are an important part of cultural heritage, sovereignty, and economic survival (Brooks 2014). Anecdotal evidence suggested that the ability of Wabanaki harvesters to gather sweetgrass in coastal communities was declining due to development pressures and changes in property ownership. This research examined access issues and harvesting practices within the context of Maine’s diminishing open land tradition, which refers to the increased posting of private land in order to prevent trespass. Utilizing a case study approach that incorporated the perspectives of coastal property owners and Wabanaki Citizens, this study illuminated a variety of factors that influence access issues. Specifically, the landowners interviewed and Wabanaki Citizens agreed that development within coastal communities has become problematic; existing access policies favor commercial fishing; and the Wabanaki are disproportionately impacted by access loss. This research concludes with a discussion of strategies for improving coastal access to culturally significant NTFPs, such as sweetgrass. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS I am indebted to many individuals who have supported my professional and personal growth throughout this process. I would like to thank my advisor, Dr. John Daigle who always believed in my abilities as a researcher and the success of this project. Thank you for all that you have done, your commitment to the community, and student success. You have been a great mentor, always listening and giving me the freedom to grow as a scholar and person. To my committee members Dr.’s Sandra De Urioste-Stone, Cynthia Isenhour, Marla Emery, and Darren Ranco whose patience, knowledge, and wisdom has made me a better person and scholar. To tish carr-who helped introduce me to a community of people committed to advancing Wabanaki youth in science. To Cynthia Paschal who unlocked my office on the many occasions I forgot my keys. My incredibly supportive parents, I would not be where I am today without their love and guidance. A special thanks to my mother, who has always emphasized the importance of education and shared her love of learning with me. I will always be grateful for the lessons she shared and the example she set as a parent, friend, and human being. This endeavor would not have been possible without the support and commitment of Jonathan Barczyk, my partner, and best friend. Thanks for all the sacrifices you have made and the help you have lent along the way. You have kept me grounded, never letting me forget what truly matters in life. This work is dedicated to my maternal grandfather, Peter A. Lerette (1940-2011), who taught me that life’s greatest pleasures are found in helping and loving others. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ...................................................................................................iii LIST OF TABLES .................................................................................................................viii LIST OF FIGURES ...............................................................................................................ix Chapter 1. INTRODUCTION TO DISSERTATION ......................................................................1 Background: Situating the Research ..........................................................................1 NTFPs: Historical and Cultural Considerations ..................................................2 General NTFP Research Trends ..........................................................................3 Sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) and the Wabanaki ..........................................6 Understanding Indigenous Sovereignty ...............................................................9 Maine’s Open Land Tradition ..............................................................................13 Study Design ........................................................................................................17 Bounding the Case: Units of Analysis .................................................................17 Research Paradigm ...............................................................................................18 Research Questions or “Issue Statements” ..........................................................24 Researcher as Instrument .....................................................................................25 Data Generation .........................................................................................................27 Interviews .............................................................................................................27 (A) Landowners .............................................................................................28 (B) Wabanaki Citizens ...................................................................................29 (C) Land Trust Personnel ...............................................................................29 (D) Marine Patrol Officer ..............................................................................30 iv (E) Secondary Data Sources ..........................................................................30