Traditional Ecological Knowledge
A Virtual Workshop for Journalists
November 13-14, 2023
For millennia, the Indigenous peoples of this continent have been building complex knowledge systems about their relationship with the world around them. Until recently, these ways of knowing – often referred to as “traditional ecological knowledge” or TEK – were largely ignored by Western science. Now, Indigenous communities are joining federal, state, academic and non-profit organizations and agencies in conversations about how humanity stewards its resources, shapes its lands and waters and responds to the climate crisis.
The Institute for Journalism & Natural Resources conducted a two-day virtual workshop that explored how Tribes and First Nations are joining discussions over environmental policy and resource management – and the challenges and opportunities TEK can bring to conservation and restoration efforts.
This two-day workshop explored topics including:
Treaty rights on traditional territories
Prescribed burning and cultural fire
Fish and wildlife conservation
Climate resilience
Capacity building for Indigenous stewardship of lands and waters
Post-Workshop Stories
This tiny bird makes an epic journey, powered by a mud-based superfood - Isabelle Groc, CBC
Camp reconnects tribal members with camas - Kimberly Cauvel, Northwest Treaty Tribes
As clock ticks line 5 continues to pit tribal culture against big oil - Caitlin Looby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
As elk co-managers, tribes plan highway overpass project - Kimberly Cauvel, Northwest Treaty Tribes
As Lake Superior wetlands become more vulnerable, tribe fears cultural guideposts could slip away - Caitlin Looby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
The Ohio Country, 12-episode podcast - Chris Welter, WYSO
Culture and conservation thrive as Great Lakes tribes bring back native wild rice - Spoorthy Raman, Mongabay
Casting a line - Kimberly Cauvel, Snee-Nee-Chum
Treaty tribes bring critical voices to World Fisheries Congress - Kimberly Cauvel, Northwest Treaty Tribes
Coast Salish tribes enjoy the sweet revival of a camas harvest - Bellamy Pailthorp, KNKX
Better care urged for animal remains tied to Indigenous peoples - Amanda Heidt, Science
Biden’s promise to tribes faces test in Great Lakes - Hannah Northey, E&E News
Event recounts treaty fishing challenges, from civil rights to climate change - Kimberyl Cauvel, Snee-Nee-Chum
Four-part series - Caitlin Looby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel