members to hunt, fish, and gather is a central goal for many, if not most tribal forest and landscape management programs. Strong collaboration between tribal Cultural Offices and Forestry Departments characterizes the efforts that are considered most successful by tribal history preservation officers and forestry department staff. Where tribes have separate wildlife and/or fisheries programs the degree of collaboration between them and forestry departments to achieve the goal of restoring landscapes and populations of wild plant and animal foods varies. Where forest management plans do not prioritize fishing, gathering, and hunting, it is regarded as a significant oversight and problem. Likewise, failure to restore culturally important tree species, even where these do not have important market values, is regarded by some tribal members and leaders as short sighted. Siloed approaches, in which forestry departments, wildlife programs, and fisheries management do not cooperate are also identified as producing results that fall short of what would be achieved if they worked in partnership. Many forestry programs have burning programs and other management strategies to restore and promote habitat for plant and animal species that are culturally important foods. Large wildfires are compromising the success of these programs. Governance of NTFPs For the majority of species, tribes do not set limits or require permits for their members. Many tribes prohibit or impose limits of fishing, gathering, and/or
hunting by non-tribal members, including some that sell permits of licenses for fishing or hunting on reservation. Landscape Management and NTFPs Tribes want to engage and restore relationships with ancestral lands as well as in landscapes with their neighbors to restore habitat and ensure tribal members’ access to species that are important for fishing, gathering, and hunting. Such collaboration is not always welcomed by neighboring landowners and managers. This makes it difficult for tribes to achieve their objectives for landscape management and NTFPs. As a result, many are looking to acquire additional land that will make it easier to engage in landscape management to achieve their goals. Training and Outreach Regarding NTFPs Many tribes have instituted educational programs and camps to pass on knowledge about fishing, gathering, and hunting; encourage tribal youth to engage in these culturally important activities; and support their physical and emotional health through harvesting and eating culturally important foods. Tribal language programs also are regarded as important contributors to efforts to ensure tribal youth have the knowledge and skills they need to fish, gather, and hunt. Infrastructure and NTFPs Observations of the effect of roads on fishing, gathering, and hunting are heterogenous. On the one hand, reductions in road density and improved stream crossings improve fish habitat. On the other hand, it is noted that
adequate roads make it easier and safer to fish, gather, and hunt. Staffing and NTFPs Tribes experience multiple challenges with regards to staffing programs that support fishing, gathering, and hunting. Many note that they have difficulty keeping staff because of their pay structure, lack of opportunities for advancement, and, in some cases, lack of job security. Several tribes note a lack of law enforcement capacity needed to pursue illegal fishing and hunting on their reservations. High reliance on seasonal employees is common and provides important training and income opportunities for tribal members. Pressing Issues Related to NTFPs Lack of funding and staff are preventing tribes from fully realizing their goals to restore culturally important species and habitats, and fishing, gathering, and hunting by their members.
Micmac Farms, a farm and fish hatchery owned and operated by the Mi’kmaq Nation in Maine. PHOTO CREDIT: ADRIAN LEIGHTON
Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) 41
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