Efficacy of Risk‐Based, Culturally Sensitive Ogaa (Walleye) Consumption Advice for Anishinaabe Tribal Members in the Great Lakes Region

Abstract

The Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission (GLIFWC) has produced Ogaa (walleye-Sander vitreus) consumption advisories since 1996 for Anishinaabe from GLIFWC member tribes in the 1837 and 1842 ceded territories of Wisconsin. GLIFWC's advisory maps were revised in 2005 to address cultural sensitivities (to protect tribal lifeways), to utilize recent mercury exposure information, and to incorporate changes in advisory levels for methyl mercury. Lake-specific, risk-based, culturally sensitive consumption advice was provided on color-coded maps for two groups: children under age 15 years and females of childbearing age, and males 15 years and older and females beyond childbearing age. The maps were distributed to, and a behavioral intervention program developed for, the six GLIFWC member tribes in Wisconsin as well as member tribes in Minnesota and the 1842 ceded territory of Michigan. Tribal fish harvesters, tribal health care providers, women of childbearing age or with young children, tribal leaders, elders, and children were targeted specifically for the behavioral intervention. The efficacy of the behavioral intervention was assessed using surveys of 275 tribal fish harvesters from Wisconsin, 139 tribal harvesters from Michigan and Minnesota, and 156 Wisconsin women of childbearing age. Significant increases in the percentage of survey participants who indicated awareness of advisory maps occurred among Wisconsin harvesters (increase from 60% to 77%), Michigan and Minnesota harvesters (29% to 51%), and women of childbearing age in Wisconsin (40% to 87%). A significant increase in preference for smaller Ogaa occurred among tribal harvesters in Wisconsin (41% to 72%) and tribal harvesters in Michigan and Minnesota (49% to 71%), although not among women of childbearing age. The GLIFWC map-based advisory program did not adversely affect tribal harvest of Ogaa, which increased from 63,000 to 88,000 fish in the three states after the intervention.

Risks and Benefits of Consumption of Great Lakes Fish

“…As a cultural resource, fishing may hold a prominent place in religious and social ceremonies, teach survival skills, and contribute to social bonding in the family and community (Donaldson et al 2010; Wheatley and Wheatley 2000). However, few studies (Beehler et al 2003; DeWeese et al 2009) have documented the social and cultural benefits of fishing in populations consuming Great Lakes fish.…”

Cultural and health implications of fish advisories in a Native American community

“…Once information about local fish is obtained, it could be disseminated via a model illustrated by DeWeese et al (2009), who produced advisory maps for Anishnaabe communities that provided lake-specific, risk-based, culturally sensitive consumption advice on color-coded maps for two groups: children under age 15 years and females of childbearing age, and males 15 years and older and females beyond childbearing age. Because the maps were easy to read and developed in conjunction with community members, DeWeese et al (2009) found they significantly increased the percentage of survey participants who indicated awareness of advisory information and increased preference for smaller walleye, which contain lower levels of contamination than larger fish.…”

“…Because the maps were easy to read and developed in conjunction with community members, DeWeese et al (2009) found they significantly increased the percentage of survey participants who indicated awareness of advisory information and increased preference for smaller walleye, which contain lower levels of contamination than larger fish. After future testing of Akwesasne's local fish population, similar maps could be produced and distributed as a way of making this information accessible to the community.…”

An update on risk communication in the Arctic

“…They point to the need of understanding the target population and culture (51), and especially those groups that are most vulnerable to the impacts of the exposure event. For environmental contaminants, those most at risk are elders, women of childbearing age, infants and children, residents with chronicdiseases and those on medications that affect the immune system.…”

“…For environmental contaminants, those most at risk are elders, women of childbearing age, infants and children, residents with chronicdiseases and those on medications that affect the immune system. Other authors highlight the importance of trust (51,52) and the role of Indigenous communities and Indigenous knowledge in risk communication (53). Friendship and Furgal (53) proposed a set of common guiding principles rather than a prescriptive rigid framework for bringing people, different cultures and knowledge systems together.…”