The Importance of Belief Systems in Traditional Ecological Knowledge Initiatives

• Main Author: Nicholas J. Reo
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: University of Western Ontario 2011
• Subjects: traditional ecological knowledge; resource management; beliefs; values; ethics; Political science; J; Social Sciences; H; First Nations
• Online Access: https://doaj.org/article/b968901802794963b69e1721be413718

Resource managers are increasingly engaging with tribes and first nations and looking for methods to incorporate their perspectives, priorities and traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) into public land and resource management. Many initiatives that engage tribes and their TEK holders only seek tribal input, such as biological data, that is most easily integrated into existing management structures. Increasing attention on tribal belief systems would provide a more holistic understanding that could benefit TEK-related initiatives. Such a shift could reduce misunderstandings about tribal natural resource perspectives and lead to insights valuable for society at large.