The land cares for us and we have a responsibility to care for the land

Common English-language definitions of "nature" rely on an opposition between the physical world (plants, animals, landscape, etc) and humans or human creations. The understanding carried through Analisa, Vikki and the Karuk Tribe’s Department’s efforts instead reflect a deep interdependence of those elements and humans, as actual relations. Analisa and Vikki shared the joy that comes from returning to places they have been stewarding over multiple years and witnessing a thriving response through harvests of acorns, berries, bulbs and basket-making materials—this serving as evidence of the reciprocal nature of care.

Indigenous cultural sovereignty is key to addressing the climate crisis

When Karuk land was taken by the federal government and settlers, Karuk cultural sovereignty was disrupted. Land management practices shifted, leading to large changes in the landscape and the presence of destructive, large-scale wildfires. Restoring cultural sovereignty through the return of land regenerates the ability to practice culture-based land management in ways that have a proven and long-standing record of sustainability.

Knowledge in Place

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Vikki reminds us that every place you go there are going to be people who are still from there, who know how to care for it. What historical, cultural, and social factors hinder us from engaging with this knowledge base? What is one thing can you do differently to honor and integrate Indigenous knowledge in the place you find yourself in?

The Land Cares for Us, We care for The Land

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Analisa and Vikki speak about a culture of sharing resources that is familiar to them—it is cultural for them. Unfortunately, we live among many examples of operating in this world that restrict a culture of care and reciprocity with land, people, plants, and animals. Thinking locally and for yourself, what have you learned that keeps you from operating this way (even if you are operating with care and reciprocity in many ways)? Where did you learn this from? How would you have taught your younger self to operate differently?

Supplemental resources:

Karuk Climate Adaptation Plan

Sovereignty is Care

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Why does Analisa suggest “land back” as a fundamental step in combating climate change? Draw that connection for someone who is having a hard time seeing that correlation.

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Can you think of an example where the language used contains important information about the place, history, or origins of something?

Traditional Ecological Knowledge

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Vikki states that Karuk Ecological Knowledge is not based on capitalism or profit. How does capitalism affect which stories get retold or what knowledge is transferred from generation to generation? What is at stake if these stories and knowledge do not live on (recognizing that so much already has not)?

Artifacts from the Future

Imagine it is 25 years into the future and you are a historian. The federal government of the United States adopted the Karuk Tribe’s Karuk Climate Adaptation Plan as a template for its own climate adaptation plan. You found a key artifact that helped move this plan forward. Perhaps a letter, a text, notes from an organizer, a photo from an organizing event, an educational program, art work, T-shirts or posters to signal messaging or solidarity. What is this artifact you found? What role did it play in the work? Use any materials accessible to give this artifact some life. Think big and don’t think too hard about the technical or logistical limitations.