1. Climate Change and Water Resources: A Focus on Stellat’en First Nation Stephen J. Déry 1, Eddison Lee-Johnson 2, Darlene Sanderson 3, and Monique Auger 3 1 Environmental Science and Engineering Program, UNBC, Prince George, BC 2 Natural Resources Director, Stellat’en First Nation, Fraser Lake, BC 3 Centre for Aboriginal Health Research, University of Victoria, Victoria, BC Stellat’en First Nation is a small community situated within the northwestern part of the Fraser River Basin, near Fraser Lake, BC (Figure 1). The Stellako, Endako, Nautley and Nechako Rivers as well as Fraser and François Lakes are all important waterways to Stellat’en First Nation. The goals of this project are: Western Science: to explore recent trends in mean annual air temperature, precipitation and streamflow in the area, and hence climate change Traditional Science: 1)to engage the community and hear the local elders’ perspectives on climate change; 2) to draw from traditional teachings to find community-based solutions that set a solid foundation for positive change; 3) to create an opportunity for community-based discussion that leads to innovative solutions at the grassroots level. INTRODUCTION LOCAL WATERSHEDS Western Science: The 1950-2009 observed daily discharge rates for the Stellako and Nautley Rivers are extracted from the online Hydrometric Database (Water Survey of Canada, 2010, http://www.wsc.ec.gc.ca/). Averages and linear trends in annual air temperature, precipitation (including rainfall and snowfall), and streamflow are computed. Trends in annual hydroclimatic variables are assessed with simple linear regressions. Changes in the annual cycle of the mean in daily streamflow in the Stellako and Nautley Rivers are assessed by comparing the 1950-1979 and 1980-2009 hydrographs. Traditional Science: Using an indigenous framework, a participatory action-oriented research methodology is used. A survey has been developed in collaboration with the community members. Using both open-ended and polar questions, elders and youth are well engaged in this process.. DATA AND METHODS RESULTS (WESTERN SCIENCE) The mean annual air temperature at Stellat’en First Nation is 3.3 o C, with a range from a minimum of 1.1 o C in 1996 to a maximum of 5.0 o C in 2004 (Figure 2). There is a strong warming trend over 1970-2006, with mean annual air temperatures showing a rise of 2.2 o C over that period. The total annual precipitation is 517 mm, with about two-thirds falling as rain and the other third as snow (Table 1). Precipitation exhibits large year-to-year variability, ranging from a minimum of 365 mm in 1985 to a maximum of 628 mm in 1996. There is a notable increase in total annual precipitation, with more abundant rains but less snow (Figure 3). Despite a recent 11% increase in precipitation, streamflow amounts have declined by 22% in the Stellako River and by 16% in the Nautley River between 1950 and 2009 (Table 2). Annual streamflow amounts also exhibit strong interannual variability in both the Stellako and Nautley Rivers, with the two time series being strongly correlated ( r = 0.97, p < 0.001, n = 60) (Figure 4). Annual hydrographs for both the Stellako and Nautley Rivers reveal marked decreases and an advance of the annual spring freshet, in addition to lower flows during summer and fall over the past 30 years (Figure 5). The recent warming coupled with the declines in late summer and fall streamflow amounts may impact migrating salmon that are sensitive to stream temperatures. It is interesting to note that the observed declines in streamflow occur despite increasing amounts of precipitation, suggesting evaporation in the area may be increasing, particularly from the large lakes in these watersheds. DISCUSSION (TRADITIONAL SCIENCE) REGIONAL WATERSHEDS Figure 2. Time series of the mean annual air temperature recorded at the meteorological station on the north shore of Fraser Lake, 1970- 2006. The red line denotes the linear trend. Figure 3. Time series of mean annual precipitation, rainfall and snowfall (as a fraction of total annual precipitation) for the meteorological station on the north shore of Fraser Lake, 1960-2006. Blue lines denote the linear trends. Figure 4. Time series of the mean annual streamflow for the Stellako (left) and Nautley (right) Rivers, 1950- 2009. Red lines denote the linear trends. Table 1. Annual average and trends in climatic variables for the meteorological station on the north shore of Fraser Lake, 1970-2006. Figure 5. The annual cycle of average daily streamflow for the Stellako (top) and Nautley (bottom) Rivers over two periods. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. We acknowledge the support from the University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), MITACS, the Pacific Institute for Climate Solutions (PICS), the Pacific Salmon Foundation, and the members of the Stellat’en First Nation. Theo Mlynowski is thanked for produced Figure 1b, Bryndel Fell for reviewing the poster, and Stephanie Stehr for collation of the data.. Figure 1. Map of the regional (left) and local (above) watersheds near Stellat’en First Nation. Table 2. Annual trend in streamflow for the Stellako and Nautley Rivers, 1950- 2009. Community Discussion: Survey results led to community discussion around four recognized themes: 1) Causes of climate change – community responses ranged from various anthropogenic causative agents (i.e. pollution, allocation of funding, lack of cohesive effort, and land-use) to underlying beliefs and values (i.e. misperceptions, apathy, and acceptance). 2) Impacts of climate change – in general, a holistic view was taken regarding the impacts of pollution on land, air and water. It was largely perceived that there is less rain on a yearly basis, and rivers are drying. It was also noted that there have been more weather extremes with less predictability. Other issues that were touched on include: warmer winters, concerns about wildlife, impacts on traditional foods and medicines, decreased animal populations, increasing algae in lakes, and decreasing numbers of trees. 3) Solutions – the most widely discussed solution involved ‘taking responsibility.’ Four categories emerged in this area: taking responsibility at the personal level (i.e. small-scale household changes such as recycling and composting); utilizing the ‘ripple effect’ via collective/community actions (i.e. developing ways of utilizing clean energy); and influencing corporate and government actions (i.e. enforcing environmental regulations); and cultural aspects of responsibility (i.e. reapplying traditional ways of knowing, examining cultural economics, and respecting the environment). 4) Next steps: a) Redefining sustainability – there is a need for further community-based discussion around creating a mutually accepted definition for ‘sustainability’ that incorporates culture and traditional teachings; b) Continued community discussions focused on local impacts, possible causes, and workable solutions for climate change; c) Increasing communication, awareness, and education – all of which can help lead to workable solutions. DISCUSSION (TRADITIONAL SCIENCE)