By Perri Goodman and Abby Whittington

PC: https://www.earthtrekkers.com/best-things-to-do-in-glacier-national-park/

Dr. Rosalyn La Pier, of the Blackfeet Tribe in Montana, has spoken on the idea of wilderness as both a myth and a construct that misconstrues America’s true history as a peopled landscape. In a recent webinar with Conservation Conversations she stated, “We need to address the idea of wilderness as both a myth and a construct…to understand the present you have to understand the past.” She believes that Glacier National Park’s existence and its climate research lie upon the idea that the land it is on was once untainted by humanity, and must be returned to that pristine state. “When we try to do restoration ecology … we have this baseline idea, this baseline definition, as the natural world as a place that’s devoid of humans and that has not been the case here, at least for 33,000 years in North America.” (La Pier, 2020). This wilderness framing serves to erase the Indigenous presence of the Blackfeet Tribe on Glacier’s land. 

In this post, we will explore the similarities and differences between the Blackfeet Tribe and Glacier National Park’s climate plans and stances. Differences in these outlooks may reflect colonialist standards and how America’s true history is hidden by our ‘parks’.

Link to the Blackfeet Tribe’s climate plan: https://blackfeetclimatechange.com/our-environment/climate-change-adaptation-plan/

Link to Glacier’s climate plan: https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/nature/climate-change.htm 

Agriculture

Glacier’s Climate Page: Acknowledges that reduced snowpack and loss of glacial ice will affect groundwater sources, which will then affect irrigation and agriculture. However, there is no mention as to how this would personally affect local communities, and no “action plan” to deal with this issue. In this way, climate change is presented as “inevitable” therefore acquitting Glacier of direct responsibility.

Blackfeet Climate Plan: Earlier snowmelt, higher temperatures, and decreasing summer precipitation, all a result of climate change, will affect vital agricultural processes. This will have impacts on irrigated land, grain production, and the presence of pollinators. Responses on behalf of the Blackfeet include: improving land governance, establishing monitoring systems, and creating a comprehensive emergency management plan. (The Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2018, pp. 44-51).

High Risk – High Vulnerability 

Cultural Resources and Traditions

Glacier’s Climate Page: Warmer temperatures will cause a shift in the historic ranges of certain plant and animal species. However, the plan does not acknowledge the cultural impacts this could have on the Blackfeet, or on the United States more generally. 

Blackfeet Climate Plan: Climate change is altering the ranges of plant and animal species that are culturally important to the Blackfeet Nation. This may indirectly impact ceremonial sites and Blackfeet artifacts. While more specific strategies are forthcoming, the climate action plan underscores that “All Blackfeet members are responsible for protecting and preserving Blackfeet culture.” (The Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2018, pp. 54-57)

High Risk – High Vulnerability 

Forestry

Glacier’s Climate Page: Emphasizes the possibility of increased wildfire risk, but fails to mention that wildfires in the Park can quickly spread to their neighbors: the Blackfeet reservation. Glacier has a very large fuel load and the potential for quick and devastating spread is high. Glacier’s plan is very specific to the park itself and doesn’t attest to impacts in surrounding areas, isolating itself from Blackfeet tribal land. 

Blackfeet Climate Plan: Higher temperatures will lead to a reduction in snowpack and make wildfires more common and more severe. Blackfeet members have also noticed fires at very unusual and variable times (two wildfires on the same night in January). Additionally, trees gain much of their water from glacier snowpack, and climate change is severely reducing snowpack. (The Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2018, pp. 69-74).

High Risk – Medium Vulnerability

PC: http://www.watsonswander.com/2012/glacier-national-park/

Land and Range

Glacier’s Climate Page: The summary does not mention any changes in native grasslands. Additionally, nowhere on Glacier’s climate specific website is there a mention of the original stewards of the National Park land.

Blackfeet Climate Plan: Climate change will alter precipitation patterns which is expected to increase the spread of noxious weeds. This could then change plant composition in native rangelands and affect cattle ranching and the overall Blackfeet economy. The Blackfeet’s major goal is to “Preserve healthy native vegetation species mix and reduce noxious weed invasion” (The Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2018, pp. 89).

High Risk – Medium Vulnerability

Fish

Glacier’s Climate Page: Fish habitats have been disappearing, which could in turn affect fish populations and possibly trickle down throughout the food chain for a larger impact. Overall, this emphasizes that the park’s ecosystem is at great risk, yet there are no plans to address this. 

Blackfeet Climate Plan: Tribal members have already observed that fish have mushier meat, and that these fish are living in lower water levels with greater amounts of algae. The climate plan details how decreased water quality and habitat access will affect native fish survivability. This is due to potential increases in fish diseases, and the introduction of nonnative species that can outcompete native fish. The tribe seeks to assess fish habitats, maintain healthy populations of native species, and protect recreational fishing, which is essential to tradition and economics.

High Risk – High Vulnerability

Human Health

Glacier’s Climate Page: The page did not include very much about human health in their climate writing. This highlights the paradox of the wilderness myth– parks are seen as devoid of people, even though Glacier attracts over 3,000 visitors each year. 

Blackfeet Climate Plan: The plan primarily focuses on vector-borne diseases and air quality, which are tied directly to a shifting climate that enables vector species (mosquitos, mice, etc.) to thrive in the area, an increase in local and regional fires, and an increase in airborne allergens. In addition the Blackfeet nation faces, “Rates of preventable death, caused by many environmental, social, or behavioral causes, are much higher than other ethnicities across Montana and nationwide” (The Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2018, pp. 80).

High Risk – High Vulnerability

Water

Glacier’s Climate Page: Melting glaciers within the park will reduce water availability for humans and agriculture. Reduced snow also diminishes groundwater and runoff, which will continue to lead to lower levels of water in lakes and streams.

Blackfeet Climate Plan: Observed impacts on the Blackfeet reservation have already included more wind and a decrease in holding of downpours. Climate change is expected to bring about a general decrease in quantity and quality of water. Water may also heat and shift in flow, causing more fish diseases, stressed systems of macroinvertebrates, changes in use of water for livestock, increases in invasive species, and a buildup of water theft and conflict. In the face of these concerns, the tribe aims to reduce high intensity flooding, assess the floodplain for property damage, and ensure downstream water quality. Indigenous views of water as vital for all life are reflected here. 

High Risk – High Vulnerability

Wildlife

Glacier’s Climate Page: The website identified the impacts of climate change on specialist species, plant life, and populations of climate sensitive species. “We are also using a system-wide approach to battle invasive species and preserve habitat for our native species. Actions such as direct removal of invasive species like lake trout, controlling existing noxious weeds from spreading, and requiring boaters to obtain a park permit for their boats help to preserve habitat and native species from an uncertain future.” (Climate Change 2020).

Blackfeet Climate Plan: Wildlife in and around the reservation will face shifts in habitat, prey availability, disease dynamics, human activities, and overall ecological disturbances. Goals for the Blackfeet are to counter invasive species and decreased connectivity. “Connectivity can be lost at multiple scales, and of particular concern are a) individuals’ ability to move through the landscape to meet their daily needs, b) their ability to complete seasonal migrations, and c) their ability to adjust to potentially shifting habitat.” (The Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2018, pp. 98). The two plans align over their interests in protecting native wildlife, more so than in many others areas.

Medium Risk – High Vulnerability

PC: https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/10-things-you-should-know-about-the-blackfeet-nation

Conclusion

Held against each other, Glacier’s climate plan and the Blackfeet’s climate action proposal are fundamentally different. Glacier lacks clearly defined goals and a deep understanding of the park’s historical relationship with the Blackfeet. Further, it doesn’t fully take seriously the environmental, human, and economic threats that climate change poses to Glacier itself. While climate change will impact us all, the lingering effects of capitalism and colonialism mean that the Blackfeet are particularly vulnerable. The loss of ancestral homelands that are now part of Glacier represent an ecological, spiritual, and ontological rupture, further endangering Blackfeet culture and lifeways. But they are not helpless victims. The Blackfeet have an incredibly detailed climate proposal with actionable plans and a wealth of knowledge from years of careful observation. Through their climate plans and programs like Native American Speaks (see below), the Blackfeet provide an environmental counter-discourse, honor their relationship with Glacier’s land, and together resist the dominance of Western colonialism. 

Citations

Bishop, C., LaPier, R., Lyons, J., & Saha R. (2020, October 21). Environmental Justice, Equity, and Inclusion for Indigenous Americans [Webinar]. Conservation Conversations.

Climate Change. (2020, August 7). Retrieved October 26, 2020, from https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/nature/climate-change.htm

The Blackfeet Climate Change Adaptation Plan. (2018, April 11). Retrieved October 26, 2020, from https://blackfeetclimatechange.com/our-environment/climate-change-adaptation-plan/

Additional Resource Links

https://blackfeetnation.com/watercompact/

https://blogs.ei.columbia.edu/2020/07/29/blackfeet-nation-border-glacier-national-park/

https://www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm

https://glacier.org/glaciers-native-america-speaks-program/