Ancient Values, New Challenges: Indigenous Spiritual Perceptions of Landscapes and Forest Management

Abstract

The spiritual values of indigenous peoples represent a challenge for forest managers to understand and integrate in their management activities. This article reports on the results of research with the Cheam First Nation of British Columbia to explore their spiritual perceptions of forested landscapes. Cheam conceptions of spirituality are deeply rooted in ancient narratives and myths that describe the land as a gift from the Creator for the material and spiritual benefit of the Cheam people and their human and nonhuman neighbors. Cheam participants emphasized the need for respectful land use, and described general landscape conditions consistent with such use. Particular forest-based spiritual activities require careful treatment of key landscape conditions around sacred sites, to ensure the continued viability of traditions still important in contemporary Cheam life. With further research, tangible indicators of culturally appropriate and respectful forest use could be developed into guidelines for forest management to protect spiritual values.