Project overview
Centering cultural ecosystem values (CEV) in water programming can guide stewardship practices to prioritize ecosystem services for those most dependent on water. This is especially true on tribal lands, where natural resources are also cultural resources. To communicate the importance of CEV in water planning, two-tribally led studies in the Great Lakes Basin have emerged with the University of Minnesota. The first study, Boochji-apiitendaagwak in Ojibwemowin (The connections of all things must be valued and highly regarded), is led by Fond du Lac’s (FDL) Resource Management Division staff and seeks to identify wetland CEV through surveys, talking circles, and interviews. The second study, Gidapenimonodawaanaanig Agi Giigoonyag Wii-Izhi-Nisidawenimangwaa (We rely on those fish, so we will recognize them), is led by Lac du Flambeau’s (LDF) Natural Resource department and seeks to implement a culturally-driven fish consumption survey on the LDF Reservation to establish a fish consumption rate for contaminant risk assessment.