Progress 03/01/03 to 02/28/05
Outputs
This report is a summary of graduate work to date and the progress of the research funded by the USFS Southern Region, Coweeta Hydrologic Laboratory and ERI of NAU. Transcription of interview data from 2001 and 2002 were completed. A total 63 pages of 6 interviews were transcribed from 30 hours of tape. Interviews were completed in summer 2003. 8 qualitative interviews were conducted and work on the 2003 interview transcription was started. There will be on-going analysis of all data. The following activities reflect ways Ms. Cooley worked outside of her regular coursework and the specific context of research at Cherokee in order to become: 1) more knowledgeable about Cherokee traditional knowledge ; 2) more skilled at collecting and examining traditional knowledge regarding land care issues in diverse native communities; 3) more skilled in research methods that address problems on native lands in ecological, holistic perspectives; and 4) more knowledgeable of the
intersections of native communities and dominant culture research. All of these goals and the activities effectively incorporate traditional ecological knowledge and resource management practices into modern ecological restoration applications and examines the outcomes. Ms Cooley held a staff development day to share how essential Cherokee traditional knowledge is for modern-day land care, focus students thinking on the value of Cherokee knowledge, generate interest for an outdoor classroom at Cherokee H. S. and interest Cherokee students in careers in natural resources. During the Fall 2002, Ms. Cooley gathered soil samples, vegetation data, and re-measure field plots, assisted with winter deer census, conducted a deer population and movement study, informed tribal members about GIS applications, conducted environmental education lessons to tribal youth and informed NAU education majors about ecological restoration for the Kaibab Restoration Project and Kaibab Environmental
EducationNetwork. During summer 2003, she completed mentoring of Pat Smith, a Cherokee High School student, about ecological research and application of knowledge and skills to conduct ecological research. During the Fall 2003 semester,she initiated the research team management plan for mule deer herd research and completed annual census for 2000-2003 for the East Zion Deer Heard Research. During 2002 and 2003, she helped Indigenous Community Enterprises with the Navajo Hogan/Roundwood Manufacturing Project. The mission of this project is to foster effective community development in Native communities that respects and integrates traditional culture and knowledge and contributes to the restoration and stewardship of traditional use lands. Our long term goal is to create a network of roundwood manufacturing facilities that distributes the economic opportunity, ecological effects, and community participation and development to other Native communities. Ms. Cooley's personal experience
in working with ICE has been very educational in terms of learning how to work with Native communities to develop economic opportunities for Native people while maintaining and incorporating traditional and cultural values.
Impacts
This research project demonstrated that complementary relationship between Indigenous knowledge systems and contemporary scientific understanding of ecological principles. The specific analysis of Cherokee forest management practices in the context of modern fire effects demonstrates that the burning methods employed by the Cherokee Nation in Southeastern forests were sustainable and maintained increased forest productivity and biodiversity.
Publications
- No publications reported this period
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Progress 01/01/03 to 12/31/03
Outputs
Completed transcriptions of interview data for Incorporating Cherokee Traditional Knowledge and Resource Management Practices into Contemporary Ecological Restoration Applications from summers 2001 and 2002 in Cherokee, NC. 1.Data Analysis presentation for Masters Committee, March 14, 2003. 2.Total interviews transcribed: 6 3.Number of recorded hours on tape: 30 4.Number of hours transcribing: 50 5.Number of pages transcribed: 63 6.Meetings with Qualitative Research Methodologist Dr. Sally Alcoze for review of data transcription, data analysis, coding guidelines: 14 hours Spring semester; 4 hours fall semester Completed interviews for research study summer 2003. 7.Total Qualitative interviews conducted: 8 8.2003 interview transcriptions completed 9.On-going analysis of all data
Impacts
The inclusion of traditional ecological knowledge about the importance of fire as a sophisticated management tool demonstrates the valuable contributions Native American knowledge can make to restore healthy forest ecosystems. Native American traditional ecological knowledge gives the modern scientific community an opportunity to better understand how to restore healthy landscapes and ecosystems.
Publications
- January, 2003. Traditional Knowledge for Ecological Restoration Research and Applications: A qualitative Interview Study with Elders from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Poster presentation. Hawaii International Conference on Education. University of Hawaii, Honolulu, HI.
- June, 2003. Bridging White man s and Red Man s Science: A Qualitative Interview Study with ?Elders from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Leadership Lecture Luncheon, Intertribal Timber Council Symposium, Cherokee, NC. Invited plenary speaker. June, 2003. Ecological Research Partnerships in Native Communities. Poster presentation, Intertribal Timber Council Symposium, Cherokee, NC.
- July, 2003. A Qualitative Interview Study with Elders from the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians: A Review of Three Years of Research. Presented to the EBCI elders, leaders and friends. Cherokee, NC.
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