Year of Award

2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

Master of Science (MS)

Degree Name

Wildlife Biology

Department or School/College

Wildlife Biology

Committee Chair

Dr. Elizabeth Covelli Metcalf

Commitee Members

Dr. Karla Bird, Dr. Erim Gomez, Dr. Sarah Sells

Keywords

Siksikaitsitapi, Traditional Ecological Knowledge Application, human wildlife interactions, thematic analysis, and cultural keystone species

Publisher

University of Montana

Abstract

In Niitawahsii–our home territory, the ecoregion of the Siksikaitsitapi–Blackfoot Confederacy, a Traditional Ecological Knowledge Application (TEKA) for socio-ecological research was developed. Aawaaahsskataiks–elders and extant literature identified a need to develop shared understanding regarding strong connections to wildlife niksokowaiks–relatives, through Siksikaitsitapi Traditional Ecological Knowledge (S-TEK). Multistage chain referral sampling, semi-structured interviews and grounded theory coding & analysis from Western science, i.e. Napikowaiks–non-natives’ research methods, were adjusted like to align with kipaitapiwahsinnooni–the Blackfoot paradigm of traditional knowledge; and more generally, Indigenous Research Methods. The result was a rigorous qualitative human-dimension of wildlife research TEKA; for use by Siksikaitsitapi and others interested in cross-cultural socio-ecological understanding. Then, permissions were successfully obtained from Blackfeet Nation and University of Montana Internal Review Boards to conduct research using the developed TEKA with guidance by aawaaahsskataiks. Research questions sought to understand cultural keystone species characteristics and where related characterizations were applied by cross-cultural wildlife managers. Twenty semi-structured interviews were conducted and resulted in 18 themes and a core concept. Seven salient and rich themes and the core concept represented data that answered the research questions and were appropriate for sharing in a written, non-tribal report of results. Other data reporting will follow principles of data sovereignty governed by Blackfeet Nation IRB.

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© Copyright 2024 Celina C. Gray