Saddle Lake Cree Nation, Alberta
Year(s) Funded: 2017-2018 and 2018-2019
Topic Area: Food Security, Knowledge Sharing / Education Title: Saddle Lake Cree Nation Tipi Model Approach to Climate Change Adaptation
Project Summary 2017-18: The Saddle Lake Cree Nation Tipi Model Approach to Climate Change Adaptation aimed to adapt and preserve traditional knowledge specific to food security for the community. This project focused on the transferring of cultural knowledge activities such as: hunting, trapping, gathering, and fishing. The impacts of climate change for onihcikiskwapowin Saddle Lake Cree Nation were studied and a better understanding of nature, resources, and methods to access alternative food sources were obtained. Knowledge transfer activities included: youth camps; Elder gatherings; and traditional outings. The youth involved in the project were also exposed to traditional teachings, healthy food options, food security, and what it means to be Treaty peoples. This project created an overall sense of knowledge revitalization, self-reliance and positive self-esteem for nehiyaw youth. Project Summary 2018-19: Over the two years of funding from the Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program, Saddle Lake Cree Nation’s project “Tipi Model Approach to Climate Change Adaptation” has provided their community and youth a stronger connection to their culture. In their second year of Climate Change and Health Adaptation Program funding, they continued their 2017-18 project to further expand the cultural knowledge transfer and climate change education. This allowed for Saddle Lake Cree Nation to continue their food security assessment and how to better solve food insecurity within the community with hunting, trapping, gathering and fishing activities. These activities provided youth and community members self-reliance, traditional and cultural knowledge as well as first hand experience to how climate change is affecting the traditional territory. |