We Listen to Them: A Method for Interaction and Assessing Natural Resource Perspectives in Tribal Communities

Abstract

Utilizing appropriate assessment tools to gather information from community members is 26 essential to reliable data collection and subsequent success in community work, particularly when working across cultures. This study utilized the Sondeo method, a culturally appropriate assessment tool with origins in farming systems research and extension (FSR/E), to gather information about natural resource use and perspectives on the Fond du Lac Reservation in northeastern Minnesota. Building trust and relationships is critical in work with Native American communities, therefore, a participatory approach was used, with diverse teams comprised of community members and educators. The general theme of disconnect emerged at multiple levels, along with the importance of Ojibwe culture and language as key to understanding and promoting natural resource use and knowledge.