Moderator: Naomi Krogman, Dean, Faculty of Environment, Simon Fraser University

Speakers:

• Dana Lepofsky, Professor, Department of Archaeology, SFU
• Oqwilowgwa Kim Recalma-Clutesi, Member, Qualicum Nation
• Q̌íx̌itasu Yímazalas Elroy White, Archaeologist and Member, Heiltsuk Nation

Abstract:
Western scientists and Indigenous knowledge keepers are increasingly joining forces to tackle social and environmental problems. These collaborations result not only in a deeper understanding of social-ecological systems, but also produce science that is more respectful to Indigenous Peoples and their long-term, place-based knowledge.  In our presentation, we recount the Kwakwaka’wakw and Heiltsuk First Nation’s stories of “clam gardens” – rock-walled intertidal management features created by coastal First Nations to increase clam production. This technology was nearly forgotten when First Nations children were forced into residential schools alienating them from their traditional practices. The academic rediscovery of this technology springs from the teachings of Kwakwaka’wakw Clan Chief Kwaxsistalla Wathl’thla (Adam Dick).  To avoid being forced into a residential school when he was young, Kwaxsistalla Wathl’thla was hidden at Deep Harbour in the Broughton Archipelago, B.C. – a place encircled by naturally abundant clam beds and human-built clam gardens. In 2002, Kwaxsistalla Wathl’thla shared an ancient lokiwey (clam garden) song that unleashed a wave of research on traditional clam management and led to the establishment of the “Clam Garden Network”.  The Network is a coast wide collective of people interested in documenting traditional mariculture practices and placing this knowledge in current social-ecological contexts.  We share knowledge from First Nations community members, as well as archaeological, ecological and paleoecological research from within the Clam Garden Network.  Together, the blending of these diverse kinds of knowledge demonstrate the long-term, sustainable relationship that coastal First Nations had with clams and clam gardening.  Western scientific research integrated with traditional ecological knowledge can provide lessons about how people today can more respectfully and sustainably interact with our non-human neighbours.