Abstract
Namāēw (Menominee; lake sturgeon Acipenser fulvescens) have long supported Indigenous culture and food sovereignty but have declined by over 80% in the Laurentian Great Lakes, exacerbating their sensitivity to climate change. Following interest from Indigenous leaders, we initiated a partnership driven effort to 1) assess climate impacts, and 2) develop potential adaptation options for namāēw using a participatory, transdisciplinary approach that combines multiple ways of knowing. Through a literature review and nine semi-structured conversations with officials from Indigenous Nations and organizations in the Great Lakes, we identified key themes, including access, culture, and fish persistence. Other concerns included habitat, food web shifts, and water quality. Prominent adaptation themes involved population assessments, stocking, regulations, habitat restoration, interagency coordination, and cultural advocacy. These findings underscore the importance of partnership-driven research to support Indigenous fisheries through knowledge co-production and equitable adaptation. Our approach provides a model to inform stewardship planning for fisheries facing global change. Please find the full article in Fisheries Magazine and on GLIFWC’s website.
Artwork by Moira Villard, a multidisciplinary artist with a mixed Indigenous and settler heritage. Moira grew on the Fond Du Lac Reservation in Minnesota and is a Fond Du Lac direct descendant. Regarding this piece, Moira shared: “Like many kids, I grew up fascinated by dinosaurs and prehistoric beings; while other little girls would say their favorite animals were kittens or bears or rabbits, my favorite animals were always ancient relics that carried the weight of deep time. When I lived on the Fond du Lac Reservation I was surrounded by fascinating plant and animal relatives of all kinds and naturally grew fond of fish and insects. The sturgeon in particular became a fascination; they are living dinosaurs - gentle, ancient, and enduring. To me, they symbolize life that pre-dates and persists beyond human time. It serves as a reminder of the resilience of the natural world and the interconnectedness of all life. Through my work, I seek to honor these connections and explore the ways ancient beings like namewag inspire us to consider our place within the vast timeline of existence.”