SS 11

Sense of Place-Importance of Integrating American Indian Traditional Ecological Knowledge in to Federal Research, Land Management and Policies: 100 Years of Working with Tribes

This session will feature two American Indians working in tribal-ecological and natural resources national leadership positions with Federal agencies. Representing different branches and/or agencies of the federal government, these speakers will address how American Indian tribal traditional ecological knowledge is being incorporated into federal initiatives and programs applicable to the discipline of ecology. Each speaker will address how federal consultation with tribes about natural resources research, management and policies informs ecological issues. A federal agency tribal leader will represent the Department of the Interior- Indian Affairs or Bureau of Indian Affairs. A federal agency tribal leader will represent the US Department of Agriculture or affiliated USDA agency. Emphasis will be placed on how the long term attachment of place for tribes of the United States have and do influence federal government research, management, and the development of national policies.  The session will start with a brief introduction, and then each speaker will have 30 minutes (25 minute presentation with 5 minutes for questions).  Following the speakers, a short 10 minute open discussion for reflections and additional comments and questions will conclude the session.