The Canadian Mountain Assessment provides a first-of-its-kind look at what we know, do not know, and need to know about mountain systems in Canada. The assessment is based on insights from First Nations, Métis, and Inuit knowledges of mountains, as well as findings from an extensive assessment of pertinent academic literature. Its inclusive knowledge co-creation approach brings these multiple forms of evidence together in ways that enhance our collective understanding of mountains in Canada, while also respecting and maintaining the integrity of different knowledge systems.
The Canadian Mountain Assessment is a text-based document, but also includes a variety of visual materials as well as access to video recordings of oral knowledges shared by Indigenous individuals from mountain areas in Canada. The assessment is the result of over three years of work, during which time the initiative played an important role in connecting and cultivating relationships between mountain knowledge holders from across Canada. It is the outcome of contributions from more than 80 Indigenous and non-Indigenous individuals and contains six chapters:
- Introduction
- Mountain Environments
- Mountains as Homelands
- Gifts of the Mountains
- Mountains Under Pressure
- Desirable Mountain Futures
By way of these chapters, the Canadian Mountain Assessment aims to enhance appreciation for the diversity and significance of mountains in Canada, to clarify challenges and opportunities for mountain systems in the country, and to motivate and inform new research, relationships, and actions that support the realization of desirable mountain futures. More broadly, the Canadian Mountain Assessment provides insights into applied reconciliation efforts in a knowledge assessment context and seeks to inspire similar knowledge co-creation efforts in and beyond Canada.
Authors
Brenda Parlee, Lawrence Ignace, Erika Gavenus, Lauren Rethoret, Andrew Trant, Nicole J. Wilson, Kristine Wray, Stephen Chignell, Sydney Lancaster, Patricia Joe, Tonya Smith, Michele Koppes, Kyra St. Pierre, Melissa Quesnelle, Steven M. Vamosi, Rod Hunter, Matthew Wiseman, PearlAnn Reichwein, Karine Gagné, Gùdia Mary Jane Johnson, Dani Inkpen, Ashley-Anne Churchill, Pnnal Bernard Jerome, Knut Kitching, Leon Andrew, Brooklyn Rushton, Eric Higgs, Shawn Marshall, Wanda Pascal, Daniel Sims, Goota Desmarais, Murray Humphries, Chris Springer, Vincent Vionnet, Gabrielle Weasel Head, Brandy Mayes, Karson Sudlow, Charlotte Mitchell, Christopher Marsh, Yan Tapp, Rachel Reimer, Joseph Shea, Thomas McIlwraith, Daniel Kraus, Julie M. Thériault, Lachlan MacKinnon, Richard Schuster, Dawn Saunders Dahl, Rosemary Langford, John Waldron, Stephan Gruber, Stephen Johnston, Keara Lightning, Gabriella Richardson, Lauren Somers, Sonia Wesche, Caroline Aubry-Wake, David Borish, Hayden Melting Tallow, Graham McDowell, Douglas Kootenay, Aerin Jacob, Karen Pheasant, Madison Stevens, Niiyokamigaabaw Deondre Smiles, Tim Patterson, Jiaao Guo, María Elisa Sánchez, Linda Johnson, Katherine Hanly, Megan Dicker, Sophie Pheasant, Nina Hewitt
- Pages
- 370
- Published in
- Calgary, CA
Table of Contents
- Half Title Page 3
- Full Title Page 4
- Copyright Page 5
- Dedication 6
- ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 8
- FOREWORD 10
- EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 12
- TABLE OF CONTENTS 16
- 1 | Introduction 20
- 1.1 Mountains and Mountain Knowledge in Canada 20
- 1.2 Introducing the Canadian Mountain Assessment 26
- 1.3 Organisation of Assessment 42
- Glossary 43
- References 46
- 2 | Mountain Environments 50
- 2.1 Introduction 50
- 2.2 Origins 52
- 2.3 Weather and Climate 61
- 2.4 Snow, Ice, and Permafrost 71
- 2.5 Water 84
- 2.6 Mountain Hazards 95
- 2.7 Ecosystems and Biodiversity 97
- 2.8 Connections between Mountains and Lowland/Coastal Environments 110
- 2.9 Conclusions 115
- Glossary 116
- References 117
- 3 | Mountains as Homelands 148
- 3.1 Introduction 148
- 3.2 Stories of Homelands 151
- 3.3 Mountain Archaeology and the Longevity of Homelands 155
- 3.4 Multispecies Literature 157
- 3.5 Changes to Mountain Homelands 159
- 3.6 Recreation 174
- 3.7 Labour 177
- 3.8 Governance in Contemporary Mountain Spaces 183
- 3.9 Conclusion 185
- Glossary 186
- References 188
- 4 | Gifts of the Mountains 198
- 4.1 Introduction 198
- 4.2 Gifts of Identity and Wellbeing 200
- 4.3 Gifts of Art 202
- 4.4 Gifts of Teaching and Pedagogy 206
- 4.5 Gifts of Foods and Medicines 212
- 4.6 Gifts of Water 224
- 4.7 Gift of Mountain Spaces and Terrain for Tourism and Recreation Activities 227
- 4.8 Gifts and Benefits of Forests, Materials, and Energy Sources 231
- 4.9 Conclusions 241
- Glossary 242
- References 243
- 5 | Mountains Under Pressure 256
- 5.1 Introduction 256
- 5.2 Climate Change: Historical Trendsand Future Projections 257
- 5.3 Land Cover and Land Use Pressures 269
- 5.4 Resource Development Pressures 274
- 5.5 Growing Pressures from Mountain Tourism and Recreation 278
- 5.6 Changes in the Governance of Mountain Spaces 281
- 5.7 Threats and Impacts from a Changing Cryosphere 284
- 5.8 Threats and Impacts from Changing Water Resources 291
- 5.9 Risks and Vulnerability from Changing Mountain Hazards 297
- 5.10 Threats and Impacts on Ecosystems 298
- 5.11 Impacts on Socio-Cultural Systems 303
- 5.12 Adaptation to ChangingPressures 308
- 5.13 Conclusions 311
- Glossary 313
- References 314
- 6 | Desirable Mountain Futures 338
- 6.1 Connectivity 340
- 6.2 Elevating Indigenous Knowledges 340
- 6.3 Access and Barriers to Relationships 342
- 6.4 Humility 344
- 6.5 Endings as Beginnings 344
- References 346
- APPENDIX I: CONTRIBUTOR BIOS 348
- APPENDIX II: LEARNING CIRCLE CONTRIBUTIONS 368
- APPENDIX III: MAP DATA 372
