Resilience in Tribal Lifeways

wild rest in field

In the Midwest, many tribal nations and inter-tribal entities are leaders in climate adaptation.

How is climate change affecting tribal lifeways in Minnesota? 

Climate change poses a significant threat to the sustainability of numerous natural resources vital to the well-being and cultural practices of tribal communities within our shared region. Rising temperatures, more frequent and intense extreme weather events, and heightened disease pressures are already impacting flora and fauna essential to their livelihoods. 

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Culturally important species

Culturally important species are threatened by rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns. For example, cold-water fish like walleye face habitat loss1, and bison body size is expected to shrink due to warmer temperatures and droughts2. Rising temperatures threaten Minnesota’s moose populations through the spread of ticks, diseases, and heat stress3,4.

Seasonal harvesting activities

Seasonal harvesting activities may shift or decline due to rising temperatures. Warming winters have altered the timing and length of sugarbush season5. Climate models suggest that in the coming decades, rising temperatures will push the range of the sugar maple in Minnesota northward, and reduce the sugar content in maple sap6,7. Wild rice harvests may decline because of increasing spring precipitation and reduced snowfall in the winter1.

Native pollinators

Native pollinators face rising temperatures and precipitation shifts that could jeopardize food security initiatives and culturally relevant plants and animals. The out-competition of native pollinators and a shifting climate may also lead to increased crop pests and crop disease migration, further threatening crop-pollinator dynamics and overall habitat health8,9.

Our Work

Support for Tribal Climate Adaptation across the 1854 Ceded Territory

Climate resilience for the Lake Superior coastal region

Regional climate summaries for Minnesota

Minnesota Climate Mapping and Analysis Tool

Emergency preparedness and severe weather resources

Extension weather-ready guides

Other Resources

Nando-gikenimindwaa Nindinawemaaganidog: Getting to know all of creation | UMN Extension

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References

Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu | Climate Change Response Framework. https://forestadaptation.org/tribal-climate-adaptation-menu. 

Martin, J. M. & Barboza, P. S. Decadal heat and drought drive body size of North American bison (Bison bison) along the Great Plains. Ecol. Evol. 10, 336–349 (2020). 

Climate change effects on deer and moose in the Midwest - Weiskopf - 2019 - The Journal of Wildlife Management - Wiley Online Library. https://wildlife.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/jwmg.21649. 

Moore, S. A. et al. Indigenous co-stewardship of North American moose: recommendations and a vision for a restoration framework. J. Wildl. Manag. 88, e22623 (2024). 

Impacts of Climate Change on the Timing of the Production Season of Maple Syrup in Eastern Canada | PLOS One. https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0144844. 

Climate Change Atlas. USDA Forest Service.

Rapp, J. M. et al. Finding the sweet spot: Shifting optimal climate for maple syrup production in North America. For. Ecol. Manag. 448, 187–197 (2019). 

Special Report on Climate Change and Land — IPCC site. https://www.ipcc.ch/srccl/. 

Skendžić, S., Zovko, M., Živković, I. P., Lešić, V. & Lemić, D. The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Insect Pests. Insects 12, (2021).