Gikinoo’wizhiwe Onji Waaban (Guiding for Tomorrow) or “G-WOW” Changing Climate, Changing Culture Initiative A New Model for Climate Change Literacy Cathy Techtmann- Environmental Outreach State Specialist Professor-Community Resource Development, University of Wisconsin-Extension NOAA Climate Steward

On behalf of G-WOW Project Partners Funding Provided by:

PROJECT LOCATION In the heart of the Ojibwe Ceded Territory, on the shores of Lake Superior Based out of the Northern Great Lakes Visitor Center in Ashland, Wisconsin ** Applicable to other locations, cultures **

G-WOW Roots (2008-ish) Increasing evidence that climate change is affecting the sustainability of Lake Superior coastal resources, communities, and cultures Concern about climate change impacts to Ojibwe treaty rights and traditional cultural practices within the Ceded Territory “Traditional” climate literacy models were not resonating with audiences Diverse project partners came together as the G-WOW Team to develop a new climate change educational outreach strategy

Research basis for the G-WOW Model “…local, place-based evidence of climate change gained through experiential learning is as, or more effective than, simply studying analytical climate change data to increasing climate change literacy.” “The Psychology of Climate Change Communication”, Columbia University 2009

The Lake Superior Ojibwe have relied on the sustainability of key plant and animal species for generations to support subsistence, cultural, and spiritual practices or “lifeways” Tribes have traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of natural systems that provides place-based indicators of climate change impacts for people of all cultures

Place-based Evidence Unprecedented cancellations of tribal wild rice harvests and poor harvest years (2007-2012) Lake Superior ice cover at Bayfield, Wisconsin has decreased approximately 3 days/decade or 45 days over the past 150 years Lake Superior reached near record lows by 2013, at record highs in 2015.

Scientific evidence- HISTORIC From 1950-2006 +1ºF over all temperature increase +2 - 2.5ºF increase in NW Wisconsin.

WHAT’S IN THE FUTURE? OVERALL WARMING WARMER WINTERS CLIMATE PROJECTIONS (1980-2055) Based on A1B “middle of the road” scenario OVERALL WARMING Change in Average Annual Temps +4-9ºF WARMER WINTERS Decrease in Frequency of Cold Nights- esp. Northern Wisconsin MORE EXTREME WEATHER Up to 4.5 inch annual mean increase in precip 25% increase in the frequency of 2-inch or greater rainfall events

Place-based evidence of climate change Our Goal through G-WOW Increase awareness of climate change impacts on the sustainability of resources, cultures, and communities by integrating: Place-based evidence of climate change Climate change scientific research. Create an e-z to understand climate literacy model that is transferable to other cultures & locations Fight climate change with change through service learning

Projected change in Wisconsin’s annual average temperatures G-WOW Key Principles Climate change is real Humans contribute to climate change Weather and climate are different Climate affects culture We can make a difference!   Harvesting birch bark- a boreal species that relies on a cool climate Projected change in Wisconsin’s annual average temperatures in ºF, 1980-2055

Why Is the G-WOW Model Unique? It is based understanding climate change through its impact on the sustainability of key plant or animal species that support a cultural practice. Creates a culturally relevant climate change perspective Links place-based evidence with scientific climate change research Makes the model transferrable across different cultures Promotes action through service learning G-WOW uses impacts on Ojibwe cultural practices as an indicator of a changing climate for all cultures

Applying the G-WOW model: Wild Ricing The Ojibwe lifeway of wild rice harvesting depends on the sustainability of manoomin (wild rice) Manoomin is an important species to the Ojibwe for subsistence, spiritual, and ceremonial purposes The sustainability of manoomin depends on habitats with shallow water, moderate water level fluctuations, and cool growing season temperatures

Do Culture and Science Agree? Place-based evidence of climate change affecting the sustainability of manoomin? 2007 - 2012: Significant changes observed in wild rice harvests and yields based on TEK Scientific evidence of climate change affecting the sustainability of manoomin? HEAT DROUGHT GUSHERS Annual average temperatures in ºF, Frequency of 90-degree days Change in frequency of 2” + precip Do Culture and Science Agree?

G-WOW model template Cultural Practice What cultural practice do you enjoy? What species is needed to support this practice? What changes are you seeing in the key species or in the habitats it needs? What changes in environmental variables critical to supporting these habitat conditions are projected by climate science? Variables may include: temperature, precipitation, drought, intense rain/ storms, humidity, etc. What habitat conditions does the species need to survive and thrive? Do culture and science agree that climate change may affect the key species and the cultural practice? What implications does this have for your community?

Applying the G-WOW Model Cultural Practice Key Species Place-based & Scientific Evidence Requires shallow water, moderate water level changes, cool growing season Projected frequency of 2”+ rain events, 1980-2055 What does this mean for sustainability of maoomin? What does this mean for cultural practices that rely on manoomin?

What does this mean for sustainability of sugar maple, Cultural Practice Key Species Place-based & Scientific Evidence Requires cool moist forest habitats, cold winters for sugar production Projected frequency of days over 90-degrees F, 1980-2055 What does this mean for sustainability of sugar maple, the businesses the rely on sugar maple?

Requires cold water habitats with high oxygen levels Cultural Practice Key Species Place-based and Scientific Evidence Requires cold water habitats with high oxygen levels Projected change in Wisconsin’s annual average summer temperatures in ºF, 1980-2055 Climate models predict up to 95% of Wisconsin’s brook trout habitat across could be lost if the average annual summer air temperature increased just over 5 º F.

Key “species”/habitat Cultural Practice Key “species”/habitat Place-based and Scientific Evidence Projected change in Wisconsin’s winter average temperatures in ºF, 1980-2055 What do these changes mean for species, cultural practices, and businesses that depend on winter cold and snow?

The G-WOW model guides investigation… Do culture and science agree… is climate change affecting the sustainability of the key species that supports an Ojibwe lifeway? What is the future for this cultural practice based on place-based evidence and scientific climate change projections? What do these changes mean for the cultural practices you enjoy , the environment, community, economy? … then engages learners to act through service learning What can we do to mitigate or adapt to climate change impacts?

Taking action through climate service learning projects Culture informing Science The G-WOW MODEL Ojibwe Lifeways Place-based evidence of climate impacts on 4-seasonal Ojibwe cultural practices Talking Circle Sharing service learning projects via an interactive blog Investigate the Science Climate science from federal, state, and tribal sources What Can We Do? Taking action through climate service learning projects

Climate Change Discovery Center Educator Training Institutes G-WOW OUTREACH TOOLS Experiential learning Ojibwe language, TEK, and cultural elements infused Multi-cultural perspectives Web Curriculum www.g-wow.org Climate Change Discovery Center Educator Training Institutes

TARGET AUDIENCES Learners (middle school & above) Teachers-Educators General Public