Traditional Alliance
Traditional Alliance
Delaware and Shawnee Nations Reunite Under their Historical Relationship
Before Europeans ever arrived, tribal peoples engaged in trade, coalitions, and ecological planning. One only need look at the incredible earthworks or mounds to conceive of North American Indigenous world views. The strategic construction of societies based upon sacred elements, water, earth, star knowledge, and fire, are testaments to the coexistence with climate and weather patterns. Indigenous people sought to live within the elements, not to manipulate them.
To this end, three separate historically significant federally recognized tribal nations came together in a coalition to consider the impacts of weather and climate related issues on their respective communities in a Climate Training Workshop for Tribes, March 15-16th in Norman at the South Central Climate Science Center housed on the University of Oklahoma campus. This was a historic gathering. In addition to the educational components of the workshop about climate and weather impacts, the workshop enabled the tribal leaders to come together, commune and plan for the future of their people.
The Shawnee (Shawano) and Delaware (Lenape) have been close allies for tens of thousands of years. The coalition is a means to renew and strengthen their bonds. Together, the Shawano and Lenape often fought wars against English and Dutch colonists and then Americans. More significantly though, Shawano and Lenape share similar tribal cultures and in their Algonquian language. The Shawano have called the Lenape the Grandfathers since time immemorial. This is because the Lenape are known as the oldest Tribe and as such they held the status of a Grandfather in advising and peacekeeping among the pre and colonial tribal nations. The Delaware Tribe of Indians and the Delaware Nation are also separate federally recognized Tribes. Delaware Nation ancestors split off from the main body of the Delaware Tribe after their first five removals in Missouri. For decades, the Delaware Nation ancestors were known as the “absentee Delaware,” as they went down to settle lands next to the Caddo among the Texas Plains Tribes of Comanche, Kiowa. Yet, they were not necessarily absent—often traveling back and forth to visit relatives of the main body of Delaware. The Delaware Tribe ancestors went from Missouri to Kansas in 1830. All three tribal nations were relocated to Indian Territory (Oklahoma) during the final “Removal” processes of the 1860s that forced all tribal nations from Texas and Kansas into Indian Territory. The efforts to apply and obtain the Climate Resilience grant/contract offered through the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) was a significant way to demonstrate the historic and cultural bonds of the peoples as well as address their future against current day threats to culture and traditional knowledge loss: drought, floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, tornadoes and fires.
During the event, tribal leaders and staff learned the difference between climate and weather, future projections, tribal knowledge, traditional ecological knowledge, weather hazards, and were introduced to vulnerability assessments. The South Central Climate Science Center has been instrumental in assisting the coalition. The Center works with tribal nations from states of New Mexico, Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma as one of eight Climate Science Centers. The U.S. Geological Survey National Climate Change and Wildlife Science Center manages their efforts through the Department of Interior and works with natural and cultural resources to address, manage, and adapt to the impacts of ecosystems and climate change. April Taylor, GISP Sustainability Scientist represents the Chickasaw Nation, Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma, South-Central Climate Science Center. Her guidance and support was instrumental in the implementation of the grant. Since 2012, Taylor states they have assisted ninety-one Tribes in total to develop education programming, vulnerability assessments, and future planning.
To capture Traditional Knowledge and apply it to climate planning, the grant will employ Delaware and Shawnee college students or local youth will interview and video tribal Elders about their experiences and traditional culture. These interviews aim to capture strategies and views for which the tribal cultures historically adapted and adjusted to weather patterns. Among many subjects, they will examine the extremes which are impacting tribal dances and living conditions of Elders. Other issues include floods and droughts which could change seasons and thus change the growing patterns of food. The next gathering will take place April 30 in Bartlesville, Oklahoma at the Delaware Tribe of Indians and Shawnee Tribe will host the third session.
Additional information about the South Central Climate Center and the tribal programming can be found on their web sites and storyboard:
Climate Center and the tribal programming can be found on their web sites and storyboard:
Comments
Post a Comment