The objective of Celina’s project is to understand the unique characteristics of cultural keystone species of the Blackfoot Confederacy in order to provide both tribal and non-tribal managers an actionable resource to improve tribal-trust natural resource management practices, like acceptance and utilization of traditional ecological knowledge frameworks of wildlife biology, science and management.

The social-ecological dynamics, or human dimensions of wildlife management, affect the ways cultural keystone species are managed within Native American communities and their traditional territories in the U.S. Cultural keystone species, or CKS, are animals that form the contextual underpinnings of a culture, as reflected in their fundamental roles in diet, used materials or medicine. These species often feature prominently in the language, ceremonies and narratives of native peoples. Additionally, different cultural groups may define certain CKS as critical indicators of a healthy relationship and adaptation to their environment, which is essential to the stability of a culture over time, especially in a changing climate. Understanding CKS encompasses the understanding of species biology, along with the species’ role in indigenous lifeways and current management practices by all, indigenous or not.

By documenting stakeholder perspectives of experiential knowledge and contemporary science through mixed-method research, Celina seeks to contribute to better-informed and effective decision making for wildlife health and conservation as it relates to the needs of indigenous communities like the Blackfoot Confederacy.