The role of social memory in natural resource management: insights from participatory video

Abstract

This research looked at the role of social memory for adaptive natural resource management within indigenous communities of the North Rupununi social-ecological system (SES) in Guyana. Secondary data from historic texts and archives were first used to build a social and ecological history of the North Rupununi SES. Current social memory 'in use' was then surfaced through a Participatory Video (PV) process led by the indigenous community. From this, a compendium of key narratives of the communities' social memory was identified and modes of social memory creation, transmittance and modification were revealed. These highlighted the role of the social memory in identity formation and self representation, how the social memory maintains and reinforces community connectedness and collectiveness, and how PV supports indigenous ways of communication, especially the visual. The study provides some valuable insights into the dynamic nature of the North Rupununi SES social memory, how it is used to make sense of the world and how PV could potentially play a role.

Our common future? Cross-scalar scenario analysis for social–ecological sustainability of the Guiana Shield, South America

“…This is in light of the fact that the Guiana Shield and wider Latin America has a long history of grassroots movements (e.g. Collinson, 1996;Martinez-Alier, 2013;Shapiro, 2013) and the recent worldwide phenomena of public protests and uprisings, such as the Zapatista Uprising, the Occupy Movement and the Arab Spring. Good governance is cited as a prerequisite for any form of effective crossscalar social-ecological management, yet past trends and the current political situation in the Guiana Shield does not provide optimism for positive future outcomes which take into account the current contexts and future aspirations of local communities.…”

“…This is particularly pertinent for local participation and potential ownership of PES and other related schemes. If current and future generations move away from their land centred worldview and environmental identity as 'forest stewards' towards more Western nature detached lifestyles, indigenous peoples may no longer have the capacity to play the 'nature guardian' role assumed within current policy paradigms (Mistry et al, 2013c).…”

Participatory scenario planning for developing innovation in community adaptation responses: three contrasting examples from Latin America

“…Further vicarious enhancement of the scenario process was achieved by use of drawings and pictures as visual supports (section 3.2), either for presentation (Mexico and Argentina) or as a device to help construct narratives from the original scenario archetypes (Colombia). Images can therefore help to elaborate futures thinking (Nicholson-Cole, 2005) and to act as stimuli to activate social memory (Mistry et al, 2013).…”

Designing for Learning Engagement in Remote Communities: Narratives from North of Sixty / Concevoir pour favoriser la participation active à l’apprentissage dans les communautés éloignées : récits d’Au nord du soixantième parallèle

“…Cultural engagement, youth identity formation, self-representation, and resilience are key concepts in Indigenous communities struggling with rapid environmental and societal changes (Allen et al, 2013;Garrett et al, 2014;Mistry et al, 2014;Nichols, 2011;Wexler, 2009). Wexler (2009) notes, "identifying with one's heritage and developing a strong cultural identity is extremely important for Indigenous young people.…”

“…Experiential learning programs and participatory video projects are becoming a popular means of engaging communities in combined cultural and twenty-first-century-skills learning, as well as helping form bonds across generations (Mistry et al, 2014;Petheram, High, Campbell, & Stacey, 2011;Shellman, 2014;Wexler, Eglinton, & Gubrium, 2014). There are many wonderful programs for Arctic youth that have been initiated in recent years.…”