Alvin First Rider, an environmental scientist and manager for Blood Tribe Land Management, has been addressing water scarcity issues on Blackfoot territory in Alberta caused by frequent droughts. To combat this, he has turned to utilizing beavers to construct man-made dams known as beaver dam analogs. These structures help retain water on the land, effectively managing the community’s water supply during dry spells.
By mimicking the natural behavior of beavers, these dams slow down water flow, aiding in the restoration of the ecosystem and reducing the risk of environmental challenges like flooding and wildfires. Beavers, considered a keystone species and culturally significant to many Indigenous groups, symbolize teachings of reciprocity and family unity.
First Rider’s initiative combines Indigenous wisdom with modern science to tackle environmental issues holistically. Over the past two years, he has overseen the construction of four beaver dam analogs on the Blood Reserve, resulting in positive outcomes such as increased water retention vital for livestock and agriculture, alongside the flourishing of traditional plant species like willows and sweet grass.
In Anishinaabe culture, beavers hold a crucial role due to their connection to wild rice, known as manoomin. Mickki Garrity, conducting research at the Fairfax Beaver Lab, aims to understand how beavers impact wild rice habitats. Despite historical disruptions from colonization, the bond between beavers and manoomin remains pivotal in shaping ancestral understandings of the land.
Breanne Lavallée-Heckert, from the Manitoba Métis Federation, emphasizes the historical exploitation of beavers for fur trading purposes, which led to their mass trapping and population decline. She stresses the importance of acknowledging past mistreatment of animals and fostering a reciprocal relationship with beavers for their preservation and continued role in the ecosystem.
