Many people are unaware of the connection between climate change and spirituality.
For indigenous peoples, the impacts are profound. Of course, the impacts vary depending on where the people come from. But regardless of geography, the effects of climate on our land and waters threaten our ability to continue our ceremonies.
Unlike many religious sites, our ritual connections are tied to place. We depend on access to the plants, animals and water of the sites where we perform our rituals. Climate change is making this necessary access more difficult.
To illustrate these implications, I will use as an example one of the ceremonies I participated in. Please understand that out of respect and privacy I will not be sharing details of this ceremony or its location.
This ritual relies on a few different location-related factors: One is access to certain foods and plants from the area where the ritual takes place, but because of drought some of these plants are in decline.
Anyone else reading this…
We do not over-harvest the herbs so they do not run out. Water shortages are making it increasingly difficult to provide the plants we need for the ritual. There is no other option. If the plants run out, that part of the ritual is lost.
In addition, the presence of fire is essential for this ritual, as it burns for several days. However, the increase in summer fires, droughts and dry weather have led to restrictions on the use of fire.
In recent years, our ceremonies have even been banned due to the risk of fire. It took a lot of support from the community to get permission. It was only because of that support and the thorough fire safety plan that is now in place that we were granted permission. Without it, we would not have been able to hold our ceremonies.
These may seem like minor inconveniences to some, or things that need to be adapted to, but for Indigenous people, rituals that follow natural cycles and depend on certain elements cannot simply be shifted.
Removing ceremonies from their locations reflects the removal of Indigenous people from our land.
Our rituals need to continue, just as our people have continued. To continue our ways, we need to work with each other to find ways together to address climate change. Our entire belief system depends on it.
Luhui Whitebear is a member of the Coast Band of Chumash, a mother, an assistant professor at Oregon State University, a volunteer on the Corvallis School Board, an MMIW advocate, and enjoys hiking with her children in her free time.
