Profile of Gavin Woodburn
Clam gardens that bring people together

When we asked one of our students, Gavin Woodburn, what advice he wanted to pass on to future generations, his response was: “Learn from your elders and mentors”. This phrase pretty much sums up our interview with this student from the Indigenous Science Division, himself a member of the Kwiakah First Nation.

An avid sports fan who enjoys spending time with his friends, he is also passionate about culture and DJing in his spare time. For as long as he can remember, he has been travelling from Ottawa to Campbell River, British Columbia. “I love these trips, even if it takes me five or six days each way, because I love seeing the different landscapes. I always take the time to ground myself in each region. It may sound strange, but I love taking sips of water from Rocky Mountain streams.

Gavin is completing his final year of an Honours B.Sc. in Earth Sciences at Carleton University, with a concentration in Geophysics and a minor in Indigenous Studies. He began his professional career with the Canadian government just over two years ago as a student with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans in a coastal environment program. His role was to analyze the data and the effects of methylmercury contamination on the environment, in partnership with the First Nations of Prince Rupert. He officially joined the Indigenous Science Division team at ECCC in May 2022.

An uplifting partnership

His research project began with a call from the Clear Seas Centre for Responsible Marine Shipping, inviting him to take part in an internship program for indigenous students. He was given free rein. Gavin chose clam gardens as his subject, and more specifically, the Indigenous technology behind them. He tries to answer questions such as: “How do clam gardens contribute to Indigenous sovereignty and food security in coastal Indigenous communities?” and “How can clam gardens tell us about climate change?”

His idea was well received by the members of his team and by his manager, Dr. Myrle Ballard, PhD, Director of the Indigenous Science Division, which is dedicated to forging links between Indigenous and Western science.

Carleton University also got involved, which means his project is both a professional and academic one. Then another partner joined: the Wei Wai Kum Kwiakah Treaty Society, which brings together members of Gavin’s community, the Kwiakah First Nation, located in the Phillips Arm and Frederick Arm regions of British Columbia.

“It’s very rewarding to have gained the trust of my team members at ECCC, other organizations, and also Indigenous communities to carry out my research project, which has grown thanks to their involvement,” he added.

Clam gardens

On the West Coast, the seawater that recedes with each tidal cycle reveals large rocky structures that marine species cling to. A real pantry that can only be harvested in winter, as the clams are toxic in summer. More than 300 clam gardens have been discovered to date. Thanks to these rocky structures, clams, crabs, squid, octopus, algae, coral, and many other mollusks can thrive. With the saltwater tides, these gardens are built and fed by the broken shells and sand that accumulate here.

The clam gardens are ancient sites that can stretch for miles. To preserve this natural habitat, it is important to know how to look after it. The Indigenous communities on the Pacific coast have been mastering this science for over 4,000 years.

Holistic science

Scientific research on clam gardens and restoration initiatives have enabled researchers to benefit from the knowledge of Indigenous communities, two worlds of knowledge that interweave and complement each other. Indigenous communities know that to encourage clam development in clam gardens, dead clams and algae need to be removed from the sand to allow oxygen to penetrate. The Indigenous communities who maintain these walls also know that it’s important to focus not just on the walls themselves, but also on the surrounding environment.

Gavin uses an Indigenous elder’s metaphor to describe the complementary nature of the two types of science: “Indigenous science is the music of the environment, and Western science is the numbers that dance to it.” Recognizing the importance of building bridges of knowledge between the two types of science brings significant cultural, ecological, sociological, and economic benefits. It is therefore essential to strengthen relations with Indigenous peoples and share our knowledge.

Approaching communities with respect

It was fairly easy for Gavin to establish relationships with the communities where his project is taking place, as his family is originally from this region. However, he stresses the importance of maintaining communication with host communities, demonstrating transparency and respect, without infringing on their rights. “It’s very important to make sure that we have the Nation’s full confidence to ask permission before we do anything. We need to build a reciprocal relationship,” he explains. It is also important to do things according to the criteria established by the communities affected. For example, in Gavin’s project, the exact locations of the clam gardens cannot be revealed, to avoid these areas being affected by intense harvesting of the biodiversity they foster.

An ancestral science to share

Gavin plans to produce a video about his project, in English and French, but also in Kwak’wala, the native language of the Kwiakah Nation. It will be both a sort of legacy for future generations and also a way of giving back to the community. His great-grandmother kindly agreed to lend her voice to the Kwak’wala version. “There’s no better way to explain the project than in the native language, since it’s about the land and for the Earth. Hearing this video in Kwak’wala will mean a lot to the people in my community. I want to show them that this language is still alive. And it’s not just my culture and knowledge that I want to share, it’s the science and technology of my ancestors.”

Maintaining clam gardens does much more than provide local food: it is also an opportunity for young Indigenous people in these territories to learn about this ancestral culture. “Knowing that my ancestors tended the clam gardens and rock walls I touch today is very moving for me.” Carrying this knowledge from generation to generation for the benefit of West Coast biodiversity remains a key element in Gavin’s project. He would like to share a message with the people of his generation: “It is our responsibility to create the future we want to leave to future generations. It’s our duty to provide them with the tools they need so that each generation can live well.”