April 28, 2021

“Our coast Salish people had methods of cultivating the natural environment to support the ecosystems but also to feed the people,” says Alana Quintasket, senator for the Swinomish Indian Tribal Community. “And a clam garden is one example of that.” However, clam gardens have been dormant for hundreds of years in many of places that they used to exist. The Swinomish Indian Tribal Community is currently working toward reviving the ancient mariculture practice in modern-day Washington.

Not only does this initiative promote the integration of Indigenous knowledge into contemporary resource management, but it could also strengthen local food security, increase nearshore biodiversity, support tribal treaty rights, build climate change resilience, and address tribal health and well-being. Learn more about the project in the video below.

Washington Sea Grant is proud to have supported this work.