UBC Forestry would like to congratulate Dr. Andrea Lyall on receiving the Faculty of Forestry Best Doctoral Dissertation Award for 2023.
Dr. Andrea Lyall’s doctoral dissertation is entitled “Kwakwa̱ka̱’wakw People – Forests Relationships: The Forests are Our Cupboards, The Ocean is our Refrigerator”
This research explores the integral relationship between forests and the Ḵwiḵwa̱sut’inux̱w Ha̱xwa’mis community in present-day British Columbia, Canada, focusing on how forests are central to their identity, culture, and livelihoods. Utilizing Indigenous methodologies and participatory action research, Andrea’s research highlights the significance of forests in maintaining cultural identity, traditional practices, and access to essential resources such as traditional foods and western red cedar, while addressing concerns about cultural erosion and limited forest preservation policies within the community.