8/4/2019 Restoring Tl'Ches SER2011 Poster

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Restoring Tlchs:An Ethnoecological Restoration Study in

Chatham Islands, British Columbia, CanadaIntroductionChatham Islands are part of a small archipelago, Tlchs, in the Salish

Sea off southeastern Vancouver Island, territory of the Songhees First

Nation. Chatham and adjacent islands (Fig.1) comprise nationally

endangered Garry oak ecosystems, supporting a wide diversity of

habitats for plant and wildlife communities.

Today, Songhees territory at Tlchs (meaning island) totals160ha,

including Chatham Islands, adjacent islets and the north portion of

Discovery Island. Southern Discovery Island is a Provincial Park. West Chatham Island is the birthplace and was childhood home for

Songhees elder Joan Morris [Sellemah]. Tlchs has been uninhabited

and untended for over 50 years now, entering in a process of rapid

environmental change and degradation after the locals moved inland to

the new Songhees Reserve in the late 1950s. Sellemah (Fig.2) longs to

see traditional gardens and orchards in Chatham Islands restored, as well

as her peoples relationship with their environment, for healthier and

more sustainable ways of life. My research honours this vision by

combining qualitative, quantitative and participatory approaches,

exploring how to best intervene in heavily degraded cultural landscapes

such as Tlchs in order to promote ecological and cultural integrity and

long-term sustainability to people and target ecosystems.

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to foster innovative processes for restoration

intervention in Chatham Islands that will support the recovery of

ecosystems, cultural and traditional knowledge revitalization in the

landscape and community engagement, ultimately reversing trends of

biodiversity and cultural losses within this region.

ApproachThe following research questions and approaches (Table 1) emerged

from the proposed objectives:*Wild Design has emphasis on free-flowing ecological processes and deliberate human intervention to meet restoration objectives1**Cultural Keystone Place is analogous to the Cultural Keystone Species concept, defined by culturally salient species that shape ina major way the cultural identity of a people, as reflected in the fundamental roles these species have in diet, materials, medicine,

and/or spiritual practices2.

Thiago Gomes, gothiago@uvic.ca School of Environmental Studies

Terrestrial Cultural Ecosystem Mapping:The following maps are samples of TCEM results for the southern

portion of West Chatham Island (Fig.5 and Fig.6). This approach focuses

on geo-referencing and mapping information about cultural features of

the landscape, ecological communities, site characteristics, disturbances

and invasive species. Coastal bluff-meadow: agronomic grasses (Agrostis sp ., Bromus spp. + brackenfern (Pteridiumaquilinum) + yarrow (Achillea millefolium ) Also: Himalayan blackberry

(Rubus armeniacus), camas (Camassia sp.), chocolate lily (Fritillaria affinis) Nutrient:

poor Moisture: dry Disturbance: salty southwest winds, Canada geese (Branta

canadensis) landing and grazing, trampling by unauthorized visitors, invasive species.Cultural site: historical edible bulb gardens, frequent low-intensity fires. Woodland: shore pine (Pinus contorta subsp. contorta) + sitka willow (Salix

sitchensis) + Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus ). Also: Pacific crabapple (Malus

fusca), Saskatoonberry (Amelanchier alnifolia ), Fireweed (Epilobium angustifolium ),

Trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus), English ivy (Hedera helix ) Nutrient: poor

Moisture: dry Disturbance: salty southwest winds, invasive species.Considerations The preliminary results indicate that Tlchsis a place with deepcultural and spiritual significance, not only to Sellemah and her family,

but also to other members of the Songhees Nation and neighbouring

First Nations. Tlchsis likely to be a CulturalKeystonePlace, as it

represents today the closest state of landscape to the one of theirancestors. Much still remains of TEKW and memory associated with

these islands. Ecological sensitivity is also an important issue as native

species are struggling in heavily invaded environments. WildDesign

principles ofclarity, fidelity, resilience, restraint, respect, responsibility

and engagementhave been observed throughout the entire process.

Intervention of these ecosystems will necessarily consider the sensitivity

of target ecosystems and local values, ultimately following the guidance

of elders and TEKW.Future Directions Prioritize sites for intervention and determine intervention activities

based on historical, ecological, cultural and community information. Risk assessment of target sites: ecological and cultural awareness

(e.g.: species at risk and sacred sites). Gatherings (work parties and traditional pit-cooking feasts) to

promote community awareness and Songhees presence at Tlchs. Initial steps for a long-term intervention plan towards sustainable

land use that promotes ecological and cultural integrity.

Acknowledgements: the Songhees First Nation, especially Joan Morris [Sellemah] and her family, Band Councilor Ron Sam,Lkwungen Community GardenCoordinator Wilfred George, former Lands Manager Cheryl Bryce, and the great volunteers from Songhees Youth and Garden team. Marilyn Lambert and Rod Davis for

transportation. Cara Barter (LE,NONET Student Research Apprenticeship); supervisors Dr. Eric Higgs and Dr. Nancy Turner. The Sarah Spencer Research Fund. References: 1Higgs, E (2003) Nature by Design: People, Natural Process and Ecological Restoration. MIT. 357p, 2Garibaldi Aand Turner, N (2004) Cultural keystone species: implications for ecological conservation and restoration. Ecolog y and Society 9(3): 1. [online] URL: http://www.ecologyandsociety.org.ezproxy.library.uvic.ca/vol9/iss3/art1/, 3Boas (1890), Hill-Tout (1905), Suttles, W(1974 ) The Economic Life of the Coast Salish of the Haro and Rosario Straits. Garlund: New York , Duff, W (1969) The Fort Victoria Treaties. BC Studies, no.3 Fall, Keddie, G (2003) Son ghees Pictorial: A

History of the Songhees People as seen by Outsiders, 1790-1912. Royal BC Museum. Victoria, Canada. 175p. ,Lutz, JS (2009) Makk:Anew history about aboriginal-white relations. UBC Press: Vancouver., 4Milton, SJ (2003) Emerging Ecosystems: a washing stone for ecologists, economists and sociologists? South

African Journal of Science 99. 404-406, Hobbs, R.J., Arico, S., Aronson, J., Brown, J.S., Bridgewater, P., Cramer, V.A., Epstein, P.R., Ewel, J.J., Klink, C.A., Lugo, A.E., Norton, D., Ojima, D., Richadson, D.M., Sanderson, E.W., Valladares, F., Vila, M., Zamora, R., Zobel, M., (2006). Novel ecosystems: theoretical and

management aspects of the new ecological world order. Global Ecology and Biogeography. 15, 17.

Preliminary ResultsAlthough this project is in its initial field work stage, there are some

significant results that elucidate and address to the research questions.Semi-structured interviews and participatory observation:Focus on TEKW and memories, significance and sense of place,

restoration/intervention directions and values. From in situ interviews

(Fig.3), some comments are highlighted:

- Youth: I feel home here. Peacefulnext time I want to explore more.

- Leader: mixed feelings strong and fragile at the same time.- Anotherelder, with tears in his eyes: I remember hearing my mom

crying because she missed this place. This is one of the happiest days of

my life, and there were many... I was so honoured to be walking on my

familys historical grounds for the first time in my life.

Timeline for Land Use Change in Tlchs:Archival research and interviews are generating a historical baseline for

land use change in the islands (Chart 1 and Fig.4).*Novel, no-analog or emerging ecosystems are are defined as ecosystems that differ in species composition, abundance and function

from present and past ecosystems, and that arise as a result of human action, environmental change, and the impacts of the deliberate

and inadvertent introduction of species from other regions4.Novelecosystems can emerge either from the degradation or invasion of

native or wildecosystems or from the abandonment of intensively managed systems.

Before 1800s: summer fishing villages, reef-net locations,

home of the Sk.ignes (the people of the islands).1862-3: Refuge for Songhees people during the smallpox

outbreak in southern Vancouver Island. Late 1800s: several families moved and settled in the

islands after the smallpox epidemic. Plank houses and

smoke houses. Families soon became responsible for most

of the fishing done by the group. Early 1900s: Islands became one of only few sources of

edible bulbs (mainly Camassia sp.), in prairies maintained

by frequent intentional low-intensity fires, since mainland

sites were being developed by European settlers. Sheep

were introduced to some of the islands. Population living

at Tlchs in 1915 was 22.1940s-1960s : Chatham Islands became home of Tom

James from 1940-1957. Modern potlaches and dances.

Houses, fences, sheep, chicken, fruit orchard, vegetable

garden, Camassia beds, fishing. Sellemahs childhood.

Families left the islands to join the inland reservations. 1970s-1980s: accidental fire took over West Chatham,

destroying the remnants of the old homestead and

facilitating the establishment of invasive species.

Discovery Island Marine Park established (1972).

Unpopulated, the islands became a desired route for

camping and outdoor activities. Songhees decided to close

the islands for non-community members after recurring fire

accidents and garbage accumulation in the islands and

beaches.1990s: First attempt to restore Camassia sp. and other

edible bulbs through fire and seeding treatments. 2011: State of the ecosystems today: novelecosystems*?Future: most appropriate intervention?

1862-3! Late1800s! Early1900s! 1940s-1960s! 1970s-!1980s! Late1990s! 2011!Before1800s! Future!

BCArchives:CM/C2291 BCArchives:PDP06962 BCArchives:PN05867 BCArchives:PN06489 JoanMorris Pers.Arch BCArchives:D02737 Beckwith,B.(1999) G om e s, T . ( 20 1 1) G om es , T . (2 0 11 )

1930 (NAPLa3066) 1954 (NAPLbc1671)

1980 (NAPLbcc248) 2005 (CRD)

Figure 1: Tlchs: Chatham

Islands and Discovery

Island, less than 5km from

Victoria, BC, Canada.

Primary Question Approach

How to best intervene in heavily

degraded cultural landscapes in order to

promote ecological and cultural integrity

and long- term sustainability to people

and target ecosystems at Tlchs,

Chatham Islands, territory of the

Songhees First Nation?

Ethnoecological

restoration:

ecological and social

sciences

Subsidiary Questions Approaches

Are the principles of wild design* and theconcept of cultural keystone place** pertinent

to determine the most appropriate intervention

approaches to Tlchs?

Participatory observation;

Semi-structured

interviews.

What are the spatial attributes of present and

historical ecological and cultural patterns,

structures and processes in West Chatham?

Archival research;

Semi-structured

interviews; Terrestrial-

Cultural Ecosystem

Mapping (TCEM).

How can TEKW (Traditional Ecological

Knowledge and Wisdom) initiate and guide the

recovery of ecological and cultural features

and promote community engagement at

Tlchs?

Semi-structured

interviews; Participatory

observation;

In-situ community

gatherings.

! Table 1: Research question and approaches employed in the present study.

Chatham Islands

Discovery IslandVictoria

VancouverIsland

Figure 2:JoanMorris, Sellemah

(pron. /Se-hl-le-mah/) atthe

SongheesBand Office, where she

works as the Coordinator for theHealth and Diabetes Centre.

Figure 4: West Chatham

Island, British Columbia.

Aerial photographs from the

National Aerial Photography

Library and Capital Regional

District. 1930: small

homestead on west side of

the island; 1954: expanded

homestead and fences, new

construction on the

northwestern portion of the

island; 1980: no

construction left after

accidental fire; 2005: heavily

invaded plant communities.

Figure 3: Sellemah and Thiago Gomes filming a

scene for the short documentary being produced

as an outcome of this research project.

- Sellemah: This is my home

For the first ten years of my life I

was raised by my grandparentsand great-grandparents in

Chatham Islands. We were very

self-sustaining we had our own

fruit trees, vegetable garden, fish,

sea urchins, crabs I would love

to see the youth as well as elders

to come together in this project to

promote our sustainability we

need to get back to our roots.

Chart 1: Illustrated timeline for land use change in Tlchs3.

Figure 5: Ecological Communities of the southern portion of West Chatham Island.

Figure 6: Important Species of the southern portion of West Chatham Island.1Camassiasp.Blue camasNative speciesEdible bulbs/

cultivated Small patches

2RubusarmeniacusHimalayan blackberryInvasive speciesDominant in shrub layerEncroaching native

vegetation

3 Cirsium arvenseCanada thistleInvasive speciesCovering east

portion of bluff

area

4Hederahelix English IvyInvasive speciesEncroaching

shrubs and small

trees on east side

5CystisusscopariusScotch broomInvasive speciesColonizing rocky

outcropSmall shrubs

and I dream about a place where our

people couldhealsomewhere

peaceful...take a break from troubles of

life and heal at the land.