Climate change inpacts on abundance and distribution of traditional foods and medicines

To address this issue, The Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources (CIER) and Black River First Nation (BRFN) undertook the Climate Change Impacts on Abundance and Distribution of Traditional Foods and Medicines project to increase the understanding of how climate change is affecting First Nations in the boreal region of Canada. [...] The interview topics included: background information of the interviewee; traditional foods and medicines that were most ecologically, socially, physically, and culturally important at BRFN; weather conditions and the effects of climate change on abundance and distribution of traditional foods and medicines, and possible adaptation strategies to climate change regarding foods and medicines. [...] BRFN Chief and Council indicated that continuation of both the Environment Department and multi-year projects like the global warming monitoring are very important to the community and they are currently seeking assistance to re-start the department and its programs. [...] Given the large gaps in information about climate change impacts on traditional foods and medicines in the southern boreal region it would be beneficial for BRFN to continue monitoring changes over the long-term to better understand the impacts of climate change and to assist in planning adaptation strategies. [...] It would be important to plant trees and plants that are native to the area and help to maintain the ecological integrity of the forest.