Addressing Tribal Risk Concerns: Addressing Tribal Risk Concerns: Application of Traditional Application of Traditional

Ecological KnowledgeEcological Knowledge

Brenda Brandon Brenda Brandon TOSNAC CoordinatorTOSNAC Coordinator

Technical Outreach Services for Technical Outreach Services for Native American CommunitiesNative American Communities

TOSNAC ProgramTOSNAC Program

Hazardous Substance Research CentersHazardous Substance Research Centers– OutreachOutreach www.hsrc.orgwww.hsrc.org

Haskell Indian Nations UniversityHaskell Indian Nations University– Haskell Environmental Research Studies CenterHaskell Environmental Research Studies Center

Kansas State UniversityKansas State University– Center for Hazardous Substance ResearchCenter for Hazardous Substance Research– http://www.engg.k-state.edu/CHSRhttp://www.engg.k-state.edu/CHSR//

Kansas UniversityKansas University– Center of Indigenous Nations StudiesCenter of Indigenous Nations Studies– http://www.ku.edu/~insp/http://www.ku.edu/~insp/

Methods of Implementing Methods of Implementing Technical SupportTechnical Support

Educational FormatEducational Format

- Presentations and Written Materials- Presentations and Written Materials

- Public Meetings & Focused Work Groups- Public Meetings & Focused Work Groups Facilitating Stakeholder CoordinationFacilitating Stakeholder Coordination Scientific OpinionsScientific Opinions

-Document Review and Comments-Document Review and Comments

OutlineOutline

Traditional Ecological KnowledgeTraditional Ecological Knowledge Cultural Risk Concerns at Tribal Mine SitesCultural Risk Concerns at Tribal Mine Sites Evaluation of Western Scientific Processes- Evaluation of Western Scientific Processes-

addressing risk concernsaddressing risk concerns Integration of Science and TEK –long-term Integration of Science and TEK –long-term

risk management within Tribal communitiesrisk management within Tribal communities

Traditional Ecological KnowledgeTraditional Ecological Knowledge

Collective knowledge acquired by a Tribe as a Collective knowledge acquired by a Tribe as a result of the people’s interaction with the result of the people’s interaction with the environment and occupation of a region over environment and occupation of a region over many generationsmany generations

Applied to resource management decision-making Applied to resource management decision-making structuresstructures– Fisheries, wildlife, fire and water resourceFisheries, wildlife, fire and water resource– Agriculture and mining projectsAgriculture and mining projects– Environmental impact statements, health studiesEnvironmental impact statements, health studies

Western Science Western Science TEK TEK

One track thinkingOne track thinking Focus on physical Focus on physical

concernsconcerns Values based on scientific Values based on scientific

measuresmeasures Man is treated separate Man is treated separate

from environmentfrom environment Ethics- separate Ethics- separate

componentcomponent Use of quantitative Use of quantitative

interpretation to analyze interpretation to analyze and communicate riskand communicate risk

Holistic thinking Holistic thinking Priorities encompass all Priorities encompass all

levels of realitylevels of reality Values based on survival Values based on survival

of Cultureof Culture Man is a component of the Man is a component of the

environmentenvironment Ethics are incorporated Ethics are incorporated

into tradition into tradition Communication of Communication of

concerns typically have concerns typically have qualitative focusqualitative focus

Effect of X in Biota

Effect of X in

Air

Effect of X in Water

Effect of X in Soils

Study of Contaminants in Study of Contaminants in Environmental Systems- Environmental Systems-

Impact of Contaminants Impact of Contaminants in Specific Mediain Specific Media

Study of Contaminants for Cleanup Study of Contaminants for Cleanup at Superfund Mine Sitesat Superfund Mine Sites

Water

Air

Biota

Soils

Ore

TerrestrialAquatic

Surface

Groundwater Sediment

Effect of X in Biota

Effect of X in

Air

Effect of X in Water

Effect of X in Soils

Integrating Science Integrating Science and TEKand TEK

Understanding Impact of Understanding Impact of ContaminantsContaminants

Quality of Life and Quality of Life and Understanding Cultural Risk Understanding Cultural Risk

CommunicationCommunication

Walking In BalanceWalking In Balance Teaching, Learning, Teaching, Learning, Knowing, Living in Knowing, Living in Harmony with the Harmony with the Circle of LifeCircle of Life– PhysicalPhysical– MentalMental– Psychological / Psychological /

EmotionalEmotional– SpiritualSpiritual

Environmental Impact and Cultural Risk ConsiderationsEnvironmental Impact and Cultural Risk Considerations

Sustainability

Social Enhancement Economic Opportunity

Health & Environment

Natural/Cultural Resources

Environmental Justice

Natural Resource Natural Resource Preservation Central to Tribal CulturePreservation Central to Tribal Culture

Water quality/quantityWater quality/quantity Land protection and managementLand protection and management Biota– plants, animals, ecosystemsBiota– plants, animals, ecosystems Other cultural resources –Other cultural resources –

archeological, historical, ceremonial, archeological, historical, ceremonial, recreational, fishing, hunting and recreational, fishing, hunting and gathering sitesgathering sites

Conventional Risk Assessment Conventional Risk Assessment ProcessProcess

Tool used to make decisions- Tool used to make decisions- to protect human healthto protect human health Involves collecting data Involves collecting data

- type of hazard- type of hazard- toxicity of contaminant- toxicity of contaminant- exposure to contaminant- exposure to contaminant

Involves calculating potential Involves calculating potential risk to exposure risk to exposure

(risk characterization)(risk characterization)

Hazard Identification- probability- severity

Fate and Transport- contamination of media, - contamination of resources

RiskCharacterization

EcologicalExposure

HumanExposure

CulturalExposure

Ecologicaltoxicity

Humantoxicity

Cultural toxicity

Art and Science Art and Science of Risk of Risk

CharacterizationCharacterization

Hazard Identification- probability- severity

Fate and Transport- contamination of media, - contamination of resources

RiskCharacterization

EcologicalExposure

HumanExposure

CulturalExposure

Ecologicaltoxicity

Humantoxicity

Cultural toxicity

Holistic Concept of Risk Characterization Holistic Concept of Risk Characterization

Hazard Identification- probability- severity

Fate and Transport- contamination of media, - contamination of resources

RiskCharacterization

EcologicalExposure

HumanExposure

CulturalExposure

Ecologicaltoxicity

Humantoxicity

Cultural toxicity

Indigenous Concept of Risk Characterization Indigenous Concept of Risk Characterization

TEK Teaches us about Risk TEK Teaches us about Risk ConsiderationsConsiderations

Aspects of ContaminantsAspects of Contaminants Contaminant transportContaminant transport Exposure- contact, eating, breathingExposure- contact, eating, breathing Affect of contaminant- health, environment Affect of contaminant- health, environment

and cultureand culture Sensitive populations- infants, children, Sensitive populations- infants, children,

pregnant women, elderly, and subsistence pregnant women, elderly, and subsistence hunters, fishermen and gatherershunters, fishermen and gatherers

Expression of CultureExpression of CultureTribal SpecificTribal Specific

Unique to Tribal IdentityUnique to Tribal Identity

Reflects close relationship with Reflects close relationship with natural environmentnatural environment

Tribal Specific Tribal Specific Risk ConsiderationsRisk Considerations

Subsistence living intake level Subsistence living intake level considerationsconsiderations

Culturally significant sites, plants and Culturally significant sites, plants and animalsanimals

Traditional ceremonial & medicinal practicesTraditional ceremonial & medicinal practices Ecosystem BalanceEcosystem Balance

– Ecological constitution of environment, including Ecological constitution of environment, including human and spiritual aspects human and spiritual aspects

Subsistence lifestyles result in 10 to 100 times more exposure than urban lifestyles (Harper, 2001).

Drinking Water 2 liters per day 4+ liters per day

Fish Ingestion 20 pounds/yr 120 + pounds/yrGame, plants gardening 570 + pounds/yr

Duration of exposure 30 years 70 years (+ generations)

Exposure Factor Urban Subsistence

Frequency of exposure 180 days/year 365 days/year

Cultural Activities NO YES

Examples of Exposure FactorsExamples of Exposure Factors

Environmental LawsTribal

EJ Lens

Natural Resources

Social & Economic

Env’t & Health

Sustainability

Defining Tribal Environmental Justice ConcernsDefining Tribal Environmental Justice Concerns

Relative to Preservation of Cultural Lifestyles Relative to Preservation of Cultural Lifestyles and Maintenance of TEK (practices, activities)and Maintenance of TEK (practices, activities)

Communication Dynamics: Addressing Communication Dynamics: Addressing Tribal Cultural Risk ConcernsTribal Cultural Risk Concerns

Human health is critical Human health is critical Tribes consider a much broader range of Tribes consider a much broader range of

environmental effects and risksenvironmental effects and risks Added levels of Tribal cultural, social, and historical Added levels of Tribal cultural, social, and historical

relations to landrelations to land Calls for effective communication between agencies Calls for effective communication between agencies

and Tribesand Tribes

– Government to GovernmentGovernment to Government– Community InvolvementCommunity Involvement

Risk ConsiderationsRisk Considerations

Environmental Justice considerations- Environmental Justice considerations- multiple sources of contaminantsmultiple sources of contaminants

Multiple contaminants and complex Multiple contaminants and complex environmental and biological systemsenvironmental and biological systems

Bioaccumulation Bioaccumulation Subsistence Lifestyle considerationsSubsistence Lifestyle considerations Cumulative Risk- including interactions Cumulative Risk- including interactions

amongst and interferences between heavy amongst and interferences between heavy metalsmetals

BioaccumulationBioaccumulation Many Metals are known to accumulate up Many Metals are known to accumulate up

the food chainthe food chain– Soil/waterSoil/water– MicroorganismsMicroorganisms– InsectsInsects– Small FishSmall Fish– Predatory fish/birds/mammalsPredatory fish/birds/mammals– Senior food chain animals - ManSenior food chain animals - Man

Bioaccumulation- Specific to each Bioaccumulation- Specific to each Ecosystem and Relationship to itEcosystem and Relationship to it

Selenium – Impact to BiotaSelenium – Impact to BiotaOne metal, one set of impactsOne metal, one set of impacts

MammalsMammals Chronic EffectsChronic Effects

– Hair LossHair Loss– Hoof DamageHoof Damage– Poor Reproductive FunctionPoor Reproductive Function– Copper DeficiencyCopper Deficiency

Acute EffectsAcute Effects– Lung damageLung damage– Heart damageHeart damage

BirdsBirds Chronic effectsChronic effects

– Poor Egg HatchabilityPoor Egg Hatchability– Poor growthPoor growth– Poor feather growthPoor feather growth

FishFish Bioaccumulation of high Bioaccumulation of high

concentrations in liver, muscle, and concentrations in liver, muscle, and eggseggs

Primary effects are poor Primary effects are poor reproductionreproduction

Secondary concern would be Secondary concern would be additional bioaccumulation further up additional bioaccumulation further up the food chainthe food chain

BreathingBreathing

Degree to which metal occur in the air is Degree to which metal occur in the air is dependent on its formdependent on its form– Some forms of metals vaporize more easilySome forms of metals vaporize more easily– Small particle size allows particulates to be dispersed Small particle size allows particulates to be dispersed

more easily (dusts)more easily (dusts) Burning metal contaminated materialsBurning metal contaminated materials

– Inhaling contaminated smokeInhaling contaminated smoke– Trees and other plants grown on contaminated sites Trees and other plants grown on contaminated sites

may accumulate metalsmay accumulate metals Boiling contaminated watersBoiling contaminated waters

– Inhaling contaminated steamInhaling contaminated steam Aluminum, Beryllium, Cobalt, Manganese* Aluminum, Beryllium, Cobalt, Manganese*

Unique Respiratory Exposure Unique Respiratory Exposure PotentialPotential

Anything that could result in increased breathing of Anything that could result in increased breathing of metal vapor or contaminated dustsmetal vapor or contaminated dusts– Heavy exercise in areas of high contaminationHeavy exercise in areas of high contamination

– Smoking metal contaminated materialsSmoking metal contaminated materials

– Burning metal contaminated materials in enclosed areasBurning metal contaminated materials in enclosed areas

Ingestion - waterIngestion - water

Surface WaterSurface Water Groundwater Groundwater Metal concentrations dependent uponMetal concentrations dependent upon

– Contamination rateContamination rate– pHpH– Water flow ratesWater flow rates– Concentrations of other mineralsConcentrations of other minerals

Methyl Mercury CycleMethyl Mercury Cycle

Ingestion - plantsIngestion - plants

Plants can accumulate a Plants can accumulate a variety of metalsvariety of metals– Dependent upon soil Dependent upon soil

availability/solubilityavailability/solubility pHpH Metal formMetal form Exchange capacityExchange capacity Organic matterOrganic matter

Roots typically higher levels Roots typically higher levels than leaves or fruitsthan leaves or fruits– Arsenic, Cadmium, Manganese, Arsenic, Cadmium, Manganese,

Nickel, UraniumNickel, Uranium

Ingestion RisksIngestion Risks

In contaminated areas In contaminated areas – Hand to mouth Hand to mouth

exposureexposure Field workField work Hunting – gatheringHunting – gathering

– Plants and root cropsPlants and root crops Surface soil Surface soil

contaminationcontamination

Exposure Through Cultural Activities Exposure Through Cultural Activities and Practicesand Practices

Traditional PracticesTraditional Practices– Recreation- fishing, Recreation- fishing,

boating, swimmingboating, swimming– Gathering materialGathering material– Preparing harvestPreparing harvest– Crafts and material Crafts and material

manipulationmanipulation

Ceremonial PracticesCeremonial Practices Medicinal PracticesMedicinal Practices

Ingestion - meatsIngestion - meats All meat tissues have metal concentrationsAll meat tissues have metal concentrations

Meats from contamination areas may be higher Meats from contamination areas may be higher than non-contaminated sitesthan non-contaminated sites

Contaminated Animal tissuesContaminated Animal tissues– Highest metal content usually in the kidney/liverHighest metal content usually in the kidney/liver– Muscle and fat are also high for some metalsMuscle and fat are also high for some metals– Arsenic, Selenium, Thallium, Uranium, vanadium, and Arsenic, Selenium, Thallium, Uranium, vanadium, and

zinc zinc

Unique Ingestion ExposureUnique Ingestion Exposure

Ingestion of highly Ingestion of highly contaminated animal contaminated animal tissuestissues

Contaminated Contaminated medicinal or medicinal or ceremonial plantsceremonial plants

Exposure SummaryExposure Summary

There are numerous toxins There are numerous toxins

and ways to be exposedand ways to be exposed Most exposure routes are Most exposure routes are

commoncommon Some routes are unique to Some routes are unique to

a specific custom, tradition a specific custom, tradition

and/or placeand/or place TEK provides foundation for TEK provides foundation for

understanding, communicating and understanding, communicating and managing cultural risk concernsmanaging cultural risk concerns

Elements of Tribal Risk Elements of Tribal Risk Management Model Management Model

Background research-oral Background research-oral and written history, cultural and written history, cultural and ecological resource and ecological resource applicability, archeology, applicability, archeology, scientific recordsscientific records

Examination - current state Examination - current state environmentenvironment

Explicit communication of Explicit communication of scientific information, scientific information, incorporates traditional incorporates traditional cultural and ecological cultural and ecological knowledge into decisions knowledge into decisions

Tribal Community Involvement in Tribal Community Involvement in Risk CommunicationRisk Communication

Tribal CouncilTribal Council Tribal Environmental &Tribal Environmental &

Natural ResourcesNatural Resources Departmental staffDepartmental staff

-health, water, housing-health, water, housing Locally impacted Locally impacted

community memberscommunity members Cultural Committee Members, Elders and YouthCultural Committee Members, Elders and Youth

Traditional Ecological KnowledgeTraditional Ecological KnowledgeProvides foundation for development of sound Provides foundation for development of sound

community-based risk management practices community-based risk management practices within Tribal community for use over many within Tribal community for use over many generationsgenerations

Value of Employing Risk Value of Employing Risk Assessment and Risk ManagementAssessment and Risk Management

Assess impact of proposed environmental Assess impact of proposed environmental action, including cleanupaction, including cleanup

Assess impact of environmental hazard and Assess impact of environmental hazard and consider cumulative risksconsider cumulative risks

Develop risk reduction strategiesDevelop risk reduction strategies Contribute to development of Tribal Contribute to development of Tribal

Comprehensive Environmental PlanComprehensive Environmental Plan Community involvement in environmental Community involvement in environmental

decision-making processesdecision-making processes

www.tosnac.orgwww.tosnac.org

Technical OutreachTechnical Outreach

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American Communities American Communities

(TOSNAC)(TOSNAC)

BrendaBrandon@msn.comBrendaBrandon@msn.com

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