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