Indigenizing science: Applying the Thirteen Moons framework to an Indigenous research paradigm to understand Indigenous aquaculture practices

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Emma Norman (Northwest Indian College)

CO-INVESTIGATORS: Aissa Yazzie (Northwest Indian College)

Many Indigenous cultures traditionally use a lunar calendar to guide their year, often referred to as the 13 Moons. Cycling about every 28 days, each of the 13 Moons marks a seasonal change, intimately connecting the passage of time to the natural environment. Too often, Western research methodologies devalue Indigenous perspectives. Incorporating frameworks such as the 13 Moons into research could promote Indigenous self-determination, knowledge, learning and science.

With funding from Washington Sea Grant, researchers are creating a model for studying Indigenous aquaculture practices in a manner that prioritizes ethical, transformative, participatory and decolonizing approaches, and that foregrounds the needs of Indigenous communities. They are creating this model based on the practices of the Northwest Indian College’s (NWIC) host community, Lummi Nation. The team is emphasizing relationship-building, meeting with collaborators from Hawaii, British Columbia, and more to participate in cross-cultural knowledge exchanges and meet with Indigenous aquaculture practitioners throughout the Pacific. The team also implemented a new Indigenous aquaculture course at NWIC, engaging students in place-based curricula and inspiring several to base their capstone projects on Indigenous aquaculture practices and research methodologies.