The study’s first objective was to identify the main concerns of Nisga’a people related to climate change effects on forest ecosystems in general and traditional practices in particular. Secondly, the study aimed to discover Indigenous knowledge-based management guidelines for the Nisga’a Nation forests, especially how the Nisga’a people have adapted to changing climate over time. Living in the community was an invaluable experience, which allowed me to learn first-hand how its members experienced the impact of climate change.
Nisga’a Nation (northern British Columbia, Canada). The Nisga’a Nation is composed of four villages located along the Nass River. From west to east, the villages’ names are Gingolx, Laxgalts’ap, Gitwinksihlkw, and Gitlaxt’aamik
For this project I collaborated with the Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a Institute. The president and CEO of the WWNI, Dr Deanna Nyce provided cultural and research assistance before, during and after the fieldwork. As well, Ms Irene Seguin, WWNI language teacher, provided cultural assistance during the fieldwork, and Nisga’a language support afterwards.
Arias-Bustamante, J. 2013. Climate change and Indigenous knowledge: “Results”. Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a Institute Board of Members Meeting. Friday June 21st, Gitwinksihlkw, B.C., Canada.
Arias-Bustamante, J. 2013. Climate change and Indigenous knowledge. TerreWeb Seminar series. Thursday Feb. 28th, Forest Sciences Centre, UBC. Vancouver, Canada.
Arias-Bustamante, J. 2012. Climate change and Indigenous knowledge: “Proposal”. Wilp Wilxo’oskwhl Nisga’a Institute Board of Members Meeting. Friday May 4th, Gitwinksihlkw, B.C., Canada.
Arias-Bustamante J.R. and Innes J.L. 2021. Adapting forest management to climate change: experiences of the Nisga’a people. International Forestry Review 23(1): 1-15. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1505/146554821832140402
Arias-Bustamante, J. 2012. Working with Indigenous communities. Branchlines UBC Forestry, Vancouver. Canada. 23(3): 15-16. https://issuu.com/ubcforestry/docs/bl-23.3.11/17
Arias-Bustamante, J. 2013. Indigenous knowledge, climate change and forest management: the Nisga’a Nation approach. MSc thesis in the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, University of British Columbia. Vancouver, Canada. 203 pp. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14288/1.0166831
Kloshe Tillicum Aboriginal Health Research Master’s Award, 2012-2013
Asa Johal Graduate Fellowship in Forestry (UBC Faculty of Forestry), 2012
Mary and David Macaree Fellowship (UBC Faculty of Forestry), 2012
Terrestrial Research on Ecosystem & World-wide Education and Broadcast (TerreWeb) Travel Fund, 2012
Chilean Government Master’s Scholarship (Becas Chile – CONICYT), 2010- 2012
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