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For information on the Harriman Retraced Expedition e-mail: harriman2001@science.smith.edu |
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Beyond the observations on
the depletion of fur seals in the Pribilofs, the subject of
conservation was little discussed on the original Harriman
Expedition. This was Alaska at the turn of the century, when
it was nearly unfathomable to think that resources of this
State of superlatives were anything but inexhaustible.
However, the end of the gold rush and the depletion of that
mineral resource should have been seen as a metaphor for the
declines of natural resources. The issues of conservation
and preservation of the Alaska marine ecosystem are now
front and center for both Alaskans and many in the "lower
48." Panel Participants: Brad Barr (moderator), Vera
Alexander, Kathy Frost, Vivian Mendenhall, David
Policansky The panel assembled on August
14, 2001 to discuss this topic and included those who had
offered talks previously in the Harriman Expedition Retraced
about conservation of marine mammals, seabirds, fish, and
those providing background descriptive information on the
Bering Sea Ecosystem. The panel focused on the definition of
conservation and how to apply that definition to the Bering
Sea ecosystem and the larger ecosystem of coastal Alaska.
The thesis was that conservation as applied here should
encompass more than the traditional scope of simply
conservation of natural resources. While conservation of
natural resources is the primary concern, what seemed
appropriate was to look more broadly at conservation of
cultural heritage as well, resulting in a definition that
might be best described as conserving of a way of life.
There was a lively conversation involving both panelists and
the audience, who most definitely had and have an important
role in this debate as an integral part of the process that
leads to establishing public policy guiding future
decisionmaking, Like many policy discussions, if
there was consensus, it wasn't clear what it was. Many
points of view were tabled. The idea of integrating
conservation, or perhaps better, the preservation of
cultural heritage seemed to be on the right track. This
seemed to be important not simply for its own sake, but as a
possible mechanism to help non-native Alaskans and others
relearn how to be a part of the ecosystem. Perhaps part of
the problem we have seen over the last century may be linked
to thinking of ecosystems as somehow being something apart
from humans. By working closely with Native cultures, we may
discover a new perspective and new insight into some of the
difficult problems we face now and will face in the
future. The panel closed with a
description of the "talking circle" of the First Nations of
Atlantic Canada. When councils were held to consider an
issue, a talking circle was formed, and a "talking stick"
was passed from one to another around the circle until all
who had something to say had their opportunity. Some of
those with the talking stick spoke in parables and stories,
and the others in the Council listened carefully and
respectfully. Only after the talking circle was over would
decisions be made. Like the talking circle, policy decisions
are best made with the knowledge of how others in the
community feel about that issue. It seemed obvious, from the
discussion, that effective communication was both the most
challenging problem and the likely best solution to many of
the problems and concerns observed and expressed in our
discussions during the cruise. Perhaps the talking circle of
the First Nations might provide one valuable lesson.
For information on the Harriman Retraced Expedition e-mail: harriman2001@science.smith.edu
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