Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Western Science in Addressing Climate Change

Rose KalistookNational Tribal Forum 2011

Spokane, Washington

Traditional Knowledge is defined as:Profound Knowledge including Indigenous Science, Ecological Wisdom, and is life based on experience of the individual and

community which has been passed down from our elders to the

seven generations to come.

TEK is a body of knowledge outlining how all living

things interact with the environment.

Traditional life ways have always been the very core of our people. The comparison of our ancestors

ways of life have a lot of similarities to Christianity, respect for yourself, the people around you and the

environment reflects strongly on our daily lives today.

Their faith was Ellam Yua, Ellam Yua was the unseen spirit that provided and watched over our people for thousands of years. The leaders of each community

stressed to the tribe to respect the land and the waters because of the consequences that may

happen if these laws of the land are being neglected.

Concerns raised by Traditional Practices

We are only as strong as Mother EarthWe were not discovered, we have always been

hereIf you damage anything within the sacred

circle of life, eventually you damage yourselfIf you take one item (insect, plant, fish, bird)

out of the circle, eventually everything will dieEverything is connected

Today we are living the consequences human being’s

have created. The elders said the earth will

change drastically along with the people, when the people start

making noise the earth will follow

Paul Tunuchuk, Chefornak

The changing of the climate not only affects humans….it affects our resources we depend on to survive

One critical example is:

How do we integrate Traditional Knowledge with Western Science??

Welcome to Alaska!!!!

We educate our leaders….

Sharing our traditional culture and emphasizing the traditional indigenous knowledge is a way of life. This knowledge will remain with our people as long as we use the land and sea and their resources.

TEK Must Be Integrated into the Decision Making Process as a Collaborative approach to successfully begin

addressing Climate Change

Traditional knowledge is complementary to western science, not a replacement for it.

Closing CommentsSince the beginning of time, the Alaska natives have relied upon

the land and sea for their sustenance. The vast knowledge of the natural resources and environment that has been passed from generation to generation is a major component of the

Native culture. This knowledge is not just limited to common knowledge of the resources, but includes specific details

related to the condition of many different resources and how these conditions may have changed over the years.

The late Gary KompkoffPresident of Tatitlek IRA CouncilPrince William Sound