Gardening in Ashes: The Possibilities and Limitations of Gardening to Support Indigenous Health and Well-Being in the Context of Wildfires and Colonialism

Abstract

In this paper, we will discuss gardening as a relationship with nature and an ongoing process to support Indigenous health and well-being in the context of the climate crisis and increasingly widespread forest fires. We will explore the concept of gardening as both a Euro-Western agriculture practice and as a longstanding Indigenous practice—wherein naturally occurring gardens are tended in relationship and related to a wider engagement with the natural world — and the influences of colonialism and climate change on both. Drawing on our experiences as an Indigenous Knowledge Keeper (Dancing Water) and a non-Indigenous community-based researcher (Kelsey), our dialogue will outline ways to support health and well-being through land-based activities that connect with Indigenous traditions in ways that draw on relationships to confront colonialism and the influences of climate change. This dialogue is founded on our experiences in the central interior of British Columbia, Canada, one of the areas hit hardest by the 2017 wildfires. We will explore the possibilities and limitations of gardening and the wider concept of reciprocity and relationship as a means to support food security, food sovereignty, and health for Indigenous Peoples.

Indigenous climate change adaptation: New directions for emerging scholarship

“…While Indigenous peoples’ concerns and aspirations have not always been central in the climate debate (Middleton, 2015), a burgeoning literature helps to reframe and decolonise climate adaptation in line with Indigenous peoples’ lived experiences. Currently, few climate scholars present their work as directly influenced by decolonising theory or methodologies (Cameron, 2018; Chen, 2020; Fair, 2020; Inamara and Thomas, 2017; Jones, 2019; Lyons et al., 2020; Panikkar and Lemmond, 2020; Pasisi, 2020; Pelaez, 2019; Robin et al., 2020; Timler and Sandy, 2020; Veland et al., 2013; Whyte, 2017; Wijsman and Feagan, 2019; Yumagulova et al., 2020). However, there is a wealth of emergent literature about climate change, adaptation and Indigenous peoples (Arbon and Rigney, 2014; Carter, 2018; Nursey-Bray et al., 2019; Sawatzky et al., 2020) that draws on some of the fundamental components of decolonial theory and practice, and which we refer to in this review as decolonising climate and adaptation scholarship (DCAS).…”

Measuring Impact of Climate Change on Indigenous Health in the Background of Multiple Disadvantages: A Scoping Review for Equitable Public Health Policy Formulation

“…Hence, finally, twenty-nine publications remained eligible for inclusion. Out of these 29 articles, five articles were incorporating qualitative research (Bryson et al, 2021 ; Keatts et al, 2021 ; Kowalczewski & Klein, 2018 ; Rautela & Karki, 2015 ; Westoby et al, 2020 ), two articles incorporated Mixed Method Research (Chatwood et al, 2017 ; Durkalec et al, 2015 ); case studies, time series, community-based project and symposium report were one piece each(Amstislavski et al, 2013 ; Galway et al, 2022 ; Huber et al, 2020b ; Rahman & Alam, 2016 ); Seven review articles (1 systematic review, 2 Scoping Review, 4 narrative review) (Ellwanger et al, 2020 ; Galway et al, 2019 ; Jones et al, 2020 ; Lansbury Hall & Crosby, 2022 ; Lebel et al, 2022 ; Schramm et al, 2020 ; Standen et al, 2022 ); 6 commentaries (Hernandez et al, 2022 ; Leal Filho et al, 2021 ; Lewis et al, 2020 ; Redvers et al, 2022 ; Richards et al, 2019 ; Zavaleta-Cortijo et al, 2020 ); 4 perspectives (Callaghan et al, 2020 ; Houde et al, 2022 ; Redvers et al, 2020 ; Timler & Sandy, 2020 ) and 1 editorial was included in the final analysis. (Pollock & Cunsolo, 2019 ) We did not find any meta-analyses, randomized controlled trials, cohort, or case–control studies.…”

“…(Schramm et al, 2020 ) One article particularly discussed Gardening as an important solution to overcome climate change-led food insecurity. (Timler & Sandy, 2020 ) One article discussed how youth are being affected by climate change and how they can play a role in mitigation measures. Another article discussed how vulnerable groups like pregnant mothers are being affected by climate change.…”

“…When Mother Earth is sick and unbalanced, we are also sick and unbalanced. Due to the interconnected web of our existence, there is a great need to reconsider our daily practices and thought processes through the lens of reciprocity, responsibility, and relationality to Mother Earth 7 Timler et al, ( 2020 ) Gardening in Ashes: The Possibilities and Limitations of Gardening to Support Indigenous Health and Well-Being in the Context of Wildfires and Colonialism Int. J. Environ.…”

Environmental satisfaction levels of the elderly individuals in nursing home gardens

“…Psychologically, creating an environment for 'feeling at home' has the potential to increase the quality of life and satisfaction levels of residents in places such as nursing homes and elderly care homes. [33][34][35][36] The concept of 'homemade' emerges due to the need to feel like at home, yet the residents in nursing homes or elderly care homes have limited capacity to realize such concept. In such context, 'home' covers the physical, psychological and social features.…”