WORKING TO LIVE IN HAIDA GWAII: THE PARADOXES OF LIFE IN A REMOTE, AMENITY-RICH REGION
Date
2018-05-18
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
ORCID
Type
Thesis
Degree Level
Masters
Abstract
My Master’s thesis explores the importance of the natural environment for the non-Indigenous residents of Haida Gwaii, British Columbia (BC). During the summers of 2015 and 2016 Dr. Loring and I conducted 40 interviews with non-indigenous residents. On Haida Gwaii, as with many coastal, natural resource-dependent communities, the marine environment is central to quality of life and community well-being. Local non-indigenous residents I interviewed were concerned with issues pertaining to survival strategies on Haida Gwaii; access to environmental resources, employment stratagems, and governance. My research focused on the experiences and beliefs of non-indigenous residents and how control over natural resources have impacted their well-being and community cohesion. The issues of control and power are inextricably linked to the other major issues that local people experience: food security, transportation, employment, and sustainability of the environment and their community.
It is widely argued that for coastal peoples and communities, marine health and human health are intrinsically linked through the social, economic, and cultural ties. Yet, how local people understand those relationships, and think about them with respect to outcomes such as environmental and social sustainability, is not always straightforward, and differences can drive conflict among stakeholders over preferred policy and management strategies. My thesis looks at the connections of environmental health, local governance, employment, and community wellbeing for non-indigenous residents on Haida Gwaii.
The Reflection on My Art-Based Approach to Analysis chapter is focused on my visual interpretations of main concerns interviewees discussed with me. The Haida are historically renowned as artists and the non-indigenous residents of Haida Gwaii are also uniquely artistic. Haida Gwaii is a beautiful and inspiring place and I believe that is what lead me to attempt to explain local concerns through the medium of linocuts. The five images I created were direct responses to the topics and issues raised by non-indigenous interviewees and my own personal experiences on the islands. The purpose of the linocuts was to explain my research findings through a visual and emotional form.
Description
Keywords
amenity communities, coastal communities, livelihood security, stewardship, sustainability, natural resource dependent communities, art-based research
Citation
Degree
Master of Environment and Sustainability (M.E.S.)
Department
School of Environment and Sustainability
Program
Environment and Sustainability