Hunting for Healing: An Academic and Colville Nation Collaboration Seeking to Examine Traditional Food Sources in Light of Environmental Changes
Hunting for Healing: An Academic and Colville Nation Collaboration Seeking to Examine Traditional Food Sources in Light of Environmental Changes
Awarded Project Overview
April 2022
About the Project:
This project is a collaborative partnership between academic researchers and the Confederated Colville Nation to explore the intersections of traditional food justice, health, and climate change. The team is led by Dr. Derek Jennings (Anishinaabe Sac & Fox, Degiha Sioux Quapaw) and Dr. Michael Spencer (Kānaka Maoli/Native Hawaiian) in partnership with Confederated Colville Nation Traditional Territories Advisor, John Sirios (Colville). By using a community-based participatory research (CBPR) approach, this project prioritizes Indigenous leadership and knowledge.
A key component of the research involves using Photovoice, a visual storytelling method that empowers community members to document and reflect on their lived experiences. Combined with traditional knowledge and scientific mapping, Photovoice will facilitate a deeper understanding of how climate change is influencing traditional food systems and impacting health.
The research will be guided by the Indigenist Stress Coping Model, which frames climate-related disruptions to traditional food practices as stressors. Restoring access to these practices is viewed as a buffer to stress, contributing to improved health outcomes and strengthened cultural continuity.
Research Focus
The primary focus of this study is to examine the effects of climate change on traditional Colville food systems and the resulting health impacts. Specifically, the project will address the following research questions:
- Traditional Food Sources: Which traditional foods are still utilized today by the Colville Nation?
- Climate Change Impact: How has climate change affected access to traditional foods on both the reservation and within ancestral homelands?
- Health and Well-Being: How has the loss or disruption of traditional food practices impacted the health and health behaviors of Colville community members?
This study will also explore opportunities to revitalize traditional food practices and promote food sovereignty as a means of fostering community health and resilience.
Why It Matters
For generations, the Colville Nation’s food systems were closely tied to the natural environment. Seasonal cycles dictated when and where food was gathered, hunted, and harvested, providing both sustenance and cultural continuity. However, colonial displacement and environmental degradation have significantly disrupted these practices.
Today, the Colville Nation experiences disproportionately high rates of chronic diseases, including heart disease, diabetes, and cancer. Research suggests that the loss of traditional foodways and reduced physical activity are contributing factors. Additionally, the impacts of climate change — including shifts in plant and animal populations, drought, and reduced access to water — further threaten the continuation of these practices.
This research is an essential step toward reclaiming traditional food systems, promoting cultural continuity, and improving the health of Colville Nation members. By documenting the lived experiences of community members, the study will provide actionable insights for community-led adaptation and resilience.
Activities
The project will be implemented over a 17-month period with the following key activities:
Advisory Council Formation: A Tribal Advisory Council (TAC) of 5-10 Colville stakeholders, including elders and knowledge keepers, will be established. This council will provide guidance, identify key themes, and participate in a focus group to inform the Photovoice project.
Photovoice Project: Twenty Colville adults will participate in the Photovoice study, documenting their experiences with traditional food practices and climate change. Participants will attend four community meetings for training, sharing, and theme development.
Mapping Traditional Food Systems: Traditional food sources, historical hunting and gathering sites, and areas impacted by climate change will be mapped. This geographic data will support understanding of the spatial and ecological impacts of climate change.
Community Exhibit and Discussion: A photographic exhibit will be hosted in a Colville community space, providing an opportunity for participants and stakeholders to reflect on findings and provide feedback.
Reporting and Dissemination: A community report will be produced, summarizing key findings and offering recommendations for future health interventions.
Expected Outcomes
The anticipated outcomes of this study include:
- A clearer understanding of how climate change has altered traditional food access and impacted health within the Colville Nation.
- Enhanced recognition of the importance of traditional foods in supporting cultural identity and well-being.
- Empowerment of Colville Nation members to share their perspectives, contribute to decision-making, and advocate for policies that support food sovereignty.
- Development of informed strategies for preserving, protecting, and revitalizing traditional food practices in the face of climate change.
- Establishment of a foundation for expanded research on Indigenous food justice and climate adaptation.
Dissemination of Findings
Findings will be shared through a range of accessible and culturally relevant formats:
- Community Photographic Exhibit: Curated by Dr. Jennings, the exhibit will feature participant photographs and narratives, inviting dialogue and reflection.
- Community Report: A detailed report will be provided to the Colville Nation, summarizing findings and offering actionable recommendations.
In the News
Salmon Chief Darnell Sam goes bow-hunting and shares how his cultural relationship with first foods and environmental stewardship are intertwined.
Research Team
Principal Investigator: Derek Jennings, Public Health, HSPOP, University of Washington
Community Lead: John Sirois, Confederated Colville Tribal Reservation Traditional Territories Advisor
Partners:
Michael Spencer, Indigenous Wellness Research Institute, School Social Work, University of Washington
Learn more about the Confederated Colville Nation’s relationship with hunting for first foods as told to Cascade Public Media/PBS here. Featuring Darnell Sam, Salmon Chief for the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation.