<i>Paitu Nanasuagaindu Pahonupi</i>(Three Sacred Valleys): Cultural Significance of Gosiute, Paiute, and Ute Plants

Abstract

Scientists who analyze American Indian cultures recognize the importance of plants to these peoples. Scientists have recently begun to quantify aspects of American Indian plant use to assess cultural significance. If quantification is to be useful for presenting American Indian concerns, then the model must reflect how they perceive and evaluate plants. This paper discusses a quantitative model for calculating the cultural significance of American Indian plants. The research is based on the ethnobotanical portion of a Native American cultural impact assessment conducted in west-central Utah in 1989. The new research expands the Yucca Mountain ethnobotany data base, adds the perspectives of two additional Indian ethnic groups, and demonstrates the utility of the model developed by Nancy Turner, as adapted by the authors for use in American Indian cultural impact assessments.