This research explores how to incorporate culture and values in river basin management plans through a case study of the Sixaola River Basin— an international transboundary river basin located in Central America that is shared between Costa Rica, Panamá and five indigenous communities: the Bríbrí, Naso, Cabecar, Brunca and Ngöbe. Through collaborative participatory research, videography, photography and storytelling, I explore lessons learned in the Sixaola River Basin. Findings in this work include: 1) the importance of integrating culture and values in river basin management, 2) the effectiveness of co-managed research, and 3) the value of increasing communication and information exchange of river basin residents.
Read the Sixaola River Basin Story:
- Part 1: Introduction - The Sixaola River Basin Story
- Part 2: Headwaters
- Part 3: Alto Coen
- Part 4: Yorkín
- Part 5: Telire Women and Her Streams
- Part 6: Middle Basin
- Part 7: Valle de la Estrella
- Part 8: Margarita
- Part 9: Paradiso
- Part 10: Lower Basin
- Part 11: The Outlet - Almirante
- Part 12: Our River Basin
Her full Master's Thesis titled, Navigating Cultural Currents: The Sixaola River Basin Story, is available on Scholar's Archive. Learn more about Dacotah's research in the Sixaola River Basin and her other work on her website WaterPax. Experience the Sixaola River Basin Story for yourself through her video below.