New papers highlighting pathways for reconciliation & centering Indigenous Knowledges in ecology

 

Dr. Dominique David-Chavez, together with 21 Indigenous colleagues, collectively synthesized the results of a collaborative 2-day workshop for Elevating Indigenous Knowledges in Ecology as part of the Traditional Ecological Knowledge Section of the Ecological Society of America (ESA) at the 2022 ESA Annual Meeting. These synthesis and publication efforts were led by Dr. Joseph Gazing Wolf.

The purpose of this effort was to generate guidance to support much needed shifts within settler colonial institutions to rightfully center Indigenous Knowledges as the systems of Knowledge most adapted to Earth’s ecosystems through eons of relational science. Central themes that emerged from this workshop highlighted the need to: 1) Engage ethical protocols and guidelines for teaching and research involving Indigenous Knowledges, 2) Support healing through addressing historic and ongoing harms due to settler colonial institutions, 3) Reconcile through elevating Indigenous scholars and knowledge holders within settler colonial institutions, 4) Center Indigenous Knowledges as central within institutional frameworks.

These themes point to the underlying shifts needed for settler colonial institutions to cultivate meaningful relationships with Indigenous Peoples based in healing and reconciliation in ecology and beyond. Read the publications linked below to learn more!