Alvin First Rider, an environmental scientist and manager for Blood Tribe Land Management in Alberta, has been witnessing frequent droughts on Blackfoot territory, leading to water scarcity. To address this issue, First Rider is implementing beaver dam analogs, mimicking natural beaver dams, to retain water and manage the community’s water supply effectively during dry periods. These structures aid in restoring the ecosystem, reducing environmental risks like flooding and wildfires.
Beavers, significant in many Indigenous cultures, are known for their resilience in building dams and hold spiritual importance. First Rider emphasizes the integration of Indigenous wisdom with modern science to tackle environmental challenges holistically. By constructing four beaver dam analogs on the Blood Reserve, positive outcomes have already been observed, such as improved water retention vital for agriculture and livestock, benefiting traditional plants like willows and sweet grass.
In Anishinaabe culture, beavers play a crucial role due to their connection to wild rice, known as manoomin. Mickki Garrity, researching this relationship at the University of Minnesota, aims to understand if beavers impact wild rice habitats positively or negatively. Despite changes post-colonization, the ancestral bond between Anishinaabe people and manoomin remains essential, reflecting reciprocal relationships in dynamic ecological systems.
Breanne Lavallée-Heckert, from the Manitoba Métis Federation, stresses the historical exploitation of beavers during the fur trade era, leading to the transformation of the Métis Nation’s relationship with beavers. Educating about this history is crucial to honor the lives lost and shift towards a reciprocal relationship with beavers for mutual benefit and conservation efforts. Lavallée-Heckert emphasizes the importance of acknowledging past mistreatment of animals and promoting a sustainable coexistence with wildlife moving forward.
The story is part of the Sacred Seven series by Unreserved, exploring Indigenous teachings and featuring individuals who embody these teachings in their actions.
