Working Toward 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

Many species are threatened by rising temperatures and changing precipitation patterns. For example, cold-water fish like walleye face habitat loss1, bison body size is expected to shrink due to warmer temperatures and droughts2, and wild rice harvests may decline because of increasing spring precipitation and little snowfall in the winter1.

Seasonal harvesting activities

Activities like sugarbush may shift as temperatures fluctuate less predictably3.  Wild rice harvests may also decline because of increasing spring precipitation and little snowfall in the winter1.

Native pollinators

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 health4,5.

Our Work

Support for Tribal Climate Adaptation across the 1854 Ceded Territory

Climate resilience for the Lake Superior coastal region

Tools and Resources

Regional climate summaries for Minnesota

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

Minnesota Climate Mapping and Analysis Tool

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References

  1. Tribal Adaptation Menu Team, 2019. Dibaginjigaadeg Anishinaabe Ezhitwaad: A Tribal Climate Adaptation Menu. Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.
  2. Martin, J.M., Barboza, P.S., 2020. Decadal heat and drought drive body size of North American bison (Bison bison) along the Great Plains. Ecology and Evolution 10, 336–349. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.5898
  3. Houle, D. et. al. 2015. Impacts of Climate Change on the Timing of the Production Season of Maple Syrup in Eastern Canada. PLOS ONE 10, e0144844. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0144844
  4. Elbehri, A. et. al. 2017. FAO-IPCC Expert Meeting on Climate Change, Land Use and Food Security: Final Meeting Report. FAO and IPCC, FAO HQ Rome.
  5. Skendžić, S et. al.  2021. The Impact of Climate Change on Agricultural Insect Pests. Insects 12, 440. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects12050440