Beyond a Mapping Exercise: Inclusion of Aboriginal Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Parks and Protected Areas Management

• Main Author: Cook, David
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Scholars Commons @ Laurier 2020
• Subjects: Traditional Knowledge; Parks Management; Environmental Studies; Forest Management; Indigenous Studies; Nature and Society Relations; Canada; Dehcho Region; Northwest Territories; First Nations; Nahanni National Park
• Online Access: https://scholars.wlu.ca/etd/2246; https://scholars.wlu.ca/context/etd/article/3370/viewcontent/CookMRPFinal.pdf

This paper examines current approaches for Parks and Protected Areas (PPA) managers in incorporating Aboriginal Traditional and Ecological Knowledge (ATEK) into their management plans. This paper focuses on two case-studies. They are Nahanni National Park and Reserve in the Dehcho region of the Northwest Territories, and the Whitefeather Forest Protected Area in the Pikangikum First Nations Traditional Territory in Ontario. They were chosen because of their unique approaches to include Aboriginal communities in the planning process and their designation as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The broader indigenous involvement policies of both Parks Canada and Ontario Parks are examined using academic literature review and a document-based case study from each agency. The paper sets out to understand where potential disconnects have occurred and if there are any tools to be used to utilize ATEK in the implementation of cooperative management plans focusing on PPA management. The question is asked: Are there any areas where planners can work in a more meaningful manner with Aboriginal communities to utilize the depth of knowledge that to date has remained largely underutilised? Most fundamentally, for current federal and provincial parks and protected areas management to include Aboriginal Traditional and Ecological Knowledge, and create a positive cooperative management method, there needs to be a fundamental shift in policies. Foremost is the building of the relationship of Aboriginal communities and Crown Agency. They must seek to braid ATEK and Western Science, to balance knowledge, include Aboriginal voice in a meaningful and substantive manner. More practically, this review suggests the government agencies need to make fundamental changes in their policies to ensure the inclusion of Aboriginal Traditional Ecological Knowledge in Parks and protected areas management is standardised across the province of Ontario and Canada.