Climate change and SĆÁÁNEW̱ stewardship: Integrating W̱SÁNEĆ Indigenous knowledge and cultural practices into adaptation and conservation

While there is increasing recognition of the value of Indigenous knowledge, it is often absent in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies. In this chapter, we aim to illustrate how Indigenous knowledge, worldviews and connections to land and water, can contribute to the development of climate adaptation practices. Using secondary data and online resources, we focus on the case of climate change and Indigenous cultural practice of the W̱SÁNEĆ (the Saltwater people), on Vancouver Island B.C. Canada. In particular, we concentrate on pacific salmon and the practice of reef net fishing to illustrate the worldview of the W̱SÁNEĆ, the cultural consequences of climate change, and how Indigenous stewardship can contribute to climate change adaptation.