Culture’s Role in Understanding Climate Migration: Stories from the Bayou

Climate migration is a reality as our sea levels rise, storms erode coastlines, and floods and droughts wreak havoc on agricultural cycles. This is especially true in Louisiana’s Bayou region. But who is paying attention to the human dimension of climate adaptation? What role does culture play in the migration and relocation process within the United States? Join Maida Owens, co-founder of the Bayou Culture Collaborative, for a conversation exploring the reasons why culture needs to be included in any planning for climate adaptation. She will discuss a variety of migration issues including different types of migration and share lessons learned through the work of the Bayou Culture Collaborative. This conversation is relevant for those in originating or destination communities, as well as those wishing to understand and support community efforts.

Maida Owens is a folklorist who is a founding member of the Bayou Culture Collaborative, an initiative of the Louisiana Folklore Society. Through monthly online gatherings and working groups, the BCC connects those interested in the intersection of traditional culture, the arts, and science in the face of Louisiana’s land loss and environmental changes. Her focus is on the impact of migration upon our cultures in the face of coming disruption. She has directed the Louisiana Division of the Arts Folklife Program since 1988.