The Mother Tree Project & Program’s (MTPP) empirical approach has always integrated scientific inquiry with ancestral Indigenous knowledge. Since its inception, the MTPP’s research strategy has prioritized serving First Nations communities, recognizing their profound, holistic understanding of the natural world and the interconnectedness of all living things. By embracing Indigenous values such as community-based management, where decisions are made collectively to ensure the well-being of both environment and community, the MTPP ensures its research recommendations consistently focus on biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and sustainable living practices for future generations.

The MTPP collaborates with over 12 First Nations communities throughout British Columbia and continually seeks to expand these connections.

See these publications to learn more about indigenous ecological knowledge:

• Miller, Bruce-subiyay. “Seeds of our Ancestors.” In: Smith, Willie and Ryan, Esme (eds.). Spirit of the First People: Native American Music Traditions of Washington State. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 1999. Pages 25-49.
• Ryan, T. L. 2014. Territorial jurisdiction: the cultural and economic significance of eulachon Thaleichthys pacificus in the north-central coast region of British Columbia. PhD dissertation, Resource Management and Environmental Studies, University of British Columbia. DOI: 10.14288/1.0167417. 

Fungi Kingdom Dance

The Fungi Kingdom Dance is a ceremonial inspiration created by Rande Cook (Kwakwaka’wakw), a Ma’amtagila hereditary chief and artist, honouring the vital role of fungi in both cultural knowledge and forest ecosystems. Blending Indigenous storytelling with contemporary artistry—and informed by Dr. Suzanne Simard’s research on mycorrhizal networks—the performance highlights fungi as connectors, healers, and carriers of land-based knowledge.

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Photo credit: Steph Troughton