The Coeur d’Alene Tribe in northwestern Idaho has been facing challenges with their traditional foods due to land degradation and climate change. One of their key traditional foods, water potatoes, has been disappearing in recent years, leading to concerns about the future of their food sources and way of life.
Aiyana James, a member of the tribe and one of the first climate resilience coordinators, has been working to address these challenges. She participated in a water potato harvest on the reservation and witnessed the impact of extreme weather conditions on the harvest. With a background in environmental studies and a deep connection to her tribal heritage, James is dedicated to protecting the land and community for future generations.
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe has been implementing a multi-decade effort to restore their land and revitalize important wetlands. By reintroducing beavers and salmon, restoring native grasses, and repairing stream channels, the tribe aims to restore balance to the landscape and make it more resilient to climate change. These efforts are crucial in preserving their traditional foods and reconnecting with their land.
Wetlands play a vital role in combating climate change by absorbing carbon from the atmosphere. For the Coeur d’Alene Tribe, a healthy wetland not only helps in curbing rising temperatures but also provides the foundation for the return of their ancestral foods. As the world faces hotter and more arid climates, the restoration of wetlands becomes increasingly important.
The tribe’s focus on ecological restoration aligns with larger efforts across the country to address climate change and protect natural ecosystems. With initiatives like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and the national goal to conserve 30 percent of lands and waters by 2030, there is growing support for ecosystem restoration and resilience.
The Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s dedication to restoring their land and preserving their traditional foods serves as a model for sustainable environmental practices. By reconnecting with their ancestral foods like water potatoes, they are not only preserving their cultural heritage but also contributing to climate solutions and environmental conservation efforts. In the face of climate change and environmental degradation, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has taken a patient and humble approach to restoration that could serve as a model for other communities. Their unique focus on traditional knowledge and cultural practices has allowed them to make significant strides in restoring their land and preparing for the impacts of climate change.
One key aspect of the tribe’s approach is their recognition of the importance of tribal knowledge and expertise in restoration efforts. Indigenous people have a deep understanding of the land and its ecosystems, making them invaluable resources for restoration projects. By tapping into this knowledge, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe has been able to implement effective restoration techniques that are tailored to their specific landscape and cultural traditions.
One example of this is the tribe’s focus on traditional foods like the water potato. These cultural foods not only provide sustenance but also serve as a tangible connection between the people and the land. By restoring their relationship with traditional foods and the land, the tribe is not only improving the environment but also strengthening their cultural identity and sovereignty.
The tribe’s restoration efforts have already shown promising results. For instance, the reintroduction of salmon to Hangman Creek after a century-long absence is a testament to the tribe’s dedication to restoring their land and its ecosystems. This achievement is the result of years of hard work and collaboration, demonstrating the tribe’s commitment to long-term sustainability and resilience.
In addition to environmental restoration, the tribe is also focused on cultural revitalization. By engaging younger generations in restoration work and reconnecting them with the land, the tribe is ensuring that their cultural traditions and heritage are preserved for future generations. This holistic approach to restoration not only benefits the environment but also strengthens the community and fosters a sense of pride and identity among tribal members.
The tribe’s focus on interconnected ecosystems and the importance of species like salmon and beavers highlights their understanding of the complex web of life that sustains the land. By restoring habitats and supporting keystone species like beavers, the tribe is creating a more resilient and diverse ecosystem that can better withstand the impacts of climate change.
Overall, the Coeur d’Alene Tribe’s patient and humble approach to restoration serves as a powerful example of how communities can work together to restore the environment and prepare for the challenges of climate change. By honoring their cultural traditions, engaging younger generations, and focusing on interconnected ecosystems, the tribe is not only improving the health of their land but also preserving their heritage for generations to come. Since 2019, the tribe’s environmental programs department has been actively involved in a restoration project aimed at enhancing the ecosystem of their land. One of the key initiatives undertaken by the tribe is the planting of over 18,000 trees of various species, with plans to plant an additional 4,000 trees by 2025. This tree planting program is crucial in restoring the natural habitat and promoting biodiversity in the area.
In addition to tree planting, the tribe has also implemented innovative strategies to support the return of beavers to the region. By using beaver dam analogs and reinforcing existing beaver dams with posts, the tribe has successfully encouraged the presence of these keystone species in the ecosystem. Gerald Green, a wildlife biologist for the tribe, mentions that they are currently supporting about seven beaver dams in the creek, which play a vital role in creating a healthy environment for other wildlife.
The tribe’s restoration efforts are centered around the interconnectedness of trees, beavers, salmon, and water in the ecosystem. Cajetan Matheson, the natural resource director and a tribal council member, emphasizes the importance of addressing climate impacts and restoration goals holistically. He highlights the need to consider the complex relationships between different elements of the ecosystem and avoid isolated solutions.
Despite the time-consuming nature of these projects, the tribe remains committed to their long-term goals, such as bringing back salmon populations, which could take decades to achieve. By adopting a sustainable and holistic approach, the tribe aims to avoid short-term fixes and instead focus on projects that contribute to their vision for the future. This commitment is shared across the entire tribal government, ensuring continuity and progress in their restoration efforts.
The tribe’s perspective on long-term planning and sustainability is attributed to Felix Aripa, a tribal elder who passed away in 2016. Aripa’s influence is evident in the tribe’s restoration work, as he advocated for using beavers as restoration partners and preserving traditional ecological knowledge. His legacy continues to inspire current members of the tribe, who strive to leave a lasting impact on the environment, much like Aripa did.
Before his passing, Aripa played a key role in documenting the tribe’s traditional seasonal calendar, which guides their restoration efforts based on indigenous knowledge and practices. This calendar, rooted in millennia of knowledge, provides a framework for understanding the natural cycles and relationships within the ecosystem. It serves as a valuable resource for the tribe as they work towards restoring the land for future generations.
While the tribe takes pride in their accomplishments thus far, they remain focused on the future. Laura Laumatia, the tribe’s environmental programs manager, acknowledges the gradual nature of restoration work and emphasizes the long-term impact it will have. She envisions the fruits of their labor being fully realized in the distant future, highlighting the importance of working towards a sustainable and resilient ecosystem for generations to come.
