Traditional ecological knowledge can impact, enhance, and diversify adaptation, sustainability, and environmental stability

Background/Question/Methods

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) of Siletz tribal members and the environment they live and/or lived in, was altered by Western societal beliefs, and land reduction to the initially established reservation location. Climate change has additionally affected and altered how the area from which TEK has been maintained and passed down. These same effects have been occurring in other areas, and for other populations.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge is a facet of Indigenous populations, that has been evolving since the very emergence of Peoples here on Turtle Island. Indigenous peoples have been forced to assimilate and utilize western scientific methods which have been extricated from systems and ideologies which are foreign and may have less applicability to tribal ways of life. Likewise, other populations have been forced to adapt and adjust techniques and information systems to continue sustainability practices. 

In contemporary Western mainstream settings, TEK is applicable in manners which are apparent as well as useful. Unfortunately, aspects of TEK have been replaced, and while they remain somewhat utilized and understood, many tribal and western society individuals, do not fully grasp the concept, nor the application of TEK.

Results/Conclusions

            Surrounding ecosystems are all barometers of environmental systems, and are culturally relevant to Indigenous peoples as they continue their evolutionary patterns. . Common western mainstream thought assumes that such systems yield little or no information. However, Indigenous populations use these “natural” systems, and non-Indigenous populations can benefit from them as well, by analyzing and monitoring them with the specific goal of gleaning information to apply in various ways. Many teaching systems utilize this TEK, and an overall Indigenous Science approach, without even realizing or crediting such tribal knowledge systems.

Illustrating to various populations how to re-address and recognize features they can utilize, apply, and teach TEK in a manner that is relevant and fully beneficial to  environmental systems, is one way Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous populations can fortify each others’ lives, environments, and promote culturally based systems which establish sustainability. This knowledge can then be included and shared within classrooms, meetings, and with scientific assessments when interacting with others who share the geographic regions. Facilitating an understanding of how we as Indigenous people view environments, and how we evolve and adapt utilizing TEK, is an essential part of maintaining Native identity, as well as facilitating cooperative and learning environments.