January Speaker Series: Doshia Dodd, Identifying Taskscapes of the Nisenan

Starch Grain Residue Analysis of Bedrock Milling Features: A new Approach to Identifying Taskscapes

January 21, 2025, 7:30pm
Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa

Zoom link to this presentation: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81786493825

Abstract: The goal of this research is to investigate how the Nisenan as active agents in their environment engaged with the landscape by creating and maintaining their social landscape through their subsistence-settlement system. This research focuses on the identification and utilization of plants, ground in bedrock milling features (BRMs), at two contrasting sites in combination with taskscape analysis to take it beyond conventional plant identification.

Sixteen BRMs were sampled from two sites, yielding seventy-three starch grains including: 13 taxa identified to genus, one type, unidentifiable grass seeds and unidentifiable Brodiaea underground storage organs. Taxa identified to genus include rush, rye, yampa, pine, cherry, oak, and cattail.

Both sites are interpreted as seasonal camps and their BRM taskscapes were successfully constructed using starch grain data to identify habitat procurement locations. These habitats were likely used by the same familial generational groups and are thus imbued with social meaning and can be considered significant. I argue that these habitats are culturally significant natural resources and should be protected like other cultural resources.

Bio: Doshia Dodd is currently the NAGPRA/CalNAGPRA Repatriation Coordinator at Sonoma State University (SSU). Mrs. Dodd is a first-generation college graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree of Anthropology with distinction and a Masters in Cultural Resources Management Masters from SSU. As a double alumni she conducted innovative research on Native California plant utilization. Her interest in plants comes from her father, an herbalist, who introduced her to plant based medicines and knowledge of the natural world in small towns of Mendocino and Lake Counties. She still creates plant based medicine today for her family and friends. She is experienced and invested in tribal collaboration, advocating for culturally significant natural resources, helping in restoration efforts, and educating the public on the importance of native plants, landscapes and the historical wrongs inflicted upon Native Americans and minorities.

Milo Baker Chapter General Meetings and Speaker Series are held on the third Tuesday of each month (except for July, August, and December) at 7:30p.m. Meetings are held at the Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center, 2050 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa, or via Zoom.