7.5 Indigenous environmental stewardship and conservation

Indigenous peoples have long been stewards of the environment, using traditional ecological knowledge to sustainably manage resources. This knowledge, passed down through generations, encompasses a deep understanding of local ecosystems and the interconnectedness of all living things.

Indigenous conservation efforts face threats from industrial development, climate change, and habitat loss. Despite these challenges, Indigenous-led movements continue to advocate for land rights and protection, partnering with environmental organizations to preserve biodiversity and cultural heritage.

Traditional ecological knowledge

• Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) refers to the cumulative body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs about the relationships between living beings and their environment that is acquired by Indigenous peoples over hundreds or thousands of years
• TEK is deeply rooted in the specific cultural, environmental, and historical contexts of Indigenous communities and plays a vital role in their sustainable management of natural resources and conservation of biodiversity
• TEK encompasses a wide range of information, including knowledge about plant and animal species, ecological processes, climate patterns, and the sustainable use of resources

Intergenerational transmission of knowledge

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• Indigenous communities have developed sophisticated systems for transmitting TEK across generations, ensuring the continuity and preservation of this valuable knowledge
• Elders play a crucial role in passing down TEK to younger generations through oral traditions, practical demonstrations, and mentorship
• Children learn about their environment, the behavior of animals, the properties of plants, and the sustainable harvesting techniques through direct experience and guidance from knowledgeable community members
• Intergenerational transmission of TEK helps maintain the cultural identity and resilience of Indigenous communities in the face of changing environmental and social conditions

Holistic worldview and interconnectedness

• Indigenous worldviews often emphasize the interconnectedness and interdependence of all living beings, including humans, animals, plants, and the land itself
• This holistic perspective recognizes that the well-being of one component of the ecosystem is intimately linked to the well-being of all others
• Indigenous peoples view themselves as an integral part of the natural world, with a responsibility to maintain balance and harmony with their environment
• This worldview shapes Indigenous land management practices, which aim to sustain the health and productivity of ecosystems for future generations

Oral histories and storytelling

• Oral histories and storytelling are essential means of transmitting TEK and cultural values within Indigenous communities
• Stories, legends, and myths often encode important ecological knowledge, such as the behavior of animals, the medicinal properties of plants, and the location of resources
• These narratives also convey moral teachings, social norms, and cultural practices that guide the sustainable use of resources and the respectful treatment of the land
• Oral histories and storytelling help to maintain the cultural memory of Indigenous peoples and provide a sense of continuity and connection to their ancestral lands

Sustainable resource management

• Indigenous communities have developed sophisticated systems for managing natural resources in a sustainable manner, ensuring the long-term health and productivity of their environments
• These management practices are based on a deep understanding of local ecosystems, the behavior of plants and animals, and the impacts of human activities on the land
• Indigenous resource management often involves the use of traditional knowledge, spiritual beliefs, and customary laws to guide the harvesting and use of resources

Hunting and fishing practices

• Indigenous hunting and fishing practices are often guided by a deep respect for the animals and a commitment to sustainable use
• Hunters and fishers follow traditional protocols, such as offering prayers and thanks to the animals, and take only what is needed for subsistence and cultural purposes
• Traditional hunting methods (bows and arrows, spears, and traps) and fishing techniques (weirs, nets, and hooks) are designed to minimize waste and ensure the long-term health of animal populations
• Indigenous communities often have customary laws and social norms that regulate hunting and fishing activities, such as seasonal restrictions, catch limits, and the protection of breeding areas

Gathering and harvesting techniques

• Indigenous peoples have developed a wide range of techniques for gathering and harvesting plants, including fruits, nuts, seeds, roots, and medicinal herbs
• These techniques are based on a deep knowledge of the growth cycles, habitat requirements, and sustainable yields of different plant species
• Harvesting practices often involve the use of specialized tools (baskets, digging sticks, and knives) and techniques that minimize damage to the plants and ensure their regeneration
• Indigenous communities often have protocols for the proper harvesting and preparation of plants, such as offering prayers, leaving offerings, and using specific parts of the plant for different purposes

Controlled burning and land management

• Many Indigenous communities have used controlled burning as a land management tool for thousands of years
• Controlled burns are carefully planned and executed to achieve specific ecological objectives, such as promoting the growth of desired plant species, creating habitat for animals, and reducing the risk of catastrophic wildfires
• Indigenous burning practices are based on a deep understanding of local fire regimes, vegetation types, and weather patterns
• Controlled burning helps to maintain the health and diversity of ecosystems, and has been shown to increase the productivity of resources important to Indigenous livelihoods (berries, medicinal plants, and game animals)

Indigenous conservation efforts

• Indigenous peoples have been at the forefront of conservation efforts around the world, drawing on their traditional ecological knowledge and cultural values to protect and sustain their ancestral lands
• These efforts often involve the development of community-based conservation initiatives, partnerships with environmental organizations, and advocacy for land rights and protection

Community-based conservation initiatives

• Indigenous communities have established a variety of community-based conservation initiatives to protect and manage their traditional lands and resources
• These initiatives often involve the development of local conservation plans, the establishment of protected areas, and the monitoring of environmental conditions
• Community-based conservation allows Indigenous peoples to assert their rights and responsibilities as stewards of their ancestral lands, and to ensure that conservation efforts are aligned with their cultural values and livelihood needs
• Examples of community-based conservation initiatives include the establishment of Indigenous Protected Areas (Australia), Tribal Parks (Canada), and Indigenous and Community Conserved Areas (global)

Partnerships with environmental organizations

• Indigenous communities have increasingly formed partnerships with environmental organizations to advance their conservation goals and gain access to technical, financial, and political support
• These partnerships can take many forms, such as collaborative research projects, capacity-building initiatives, and joint advocacy campaigns
• Successful partnerships are based on principles of mutual respect, trust, and benefit-sharing, and recognize the unique knowledge, rights, and responsibilities of Indigenous peoples
• Examples of Indigenous-environmental partnerships include the Indigenous Peoples' and Community Conserved Territories and Areas (ICCA) Consortium, the Indigenous Leadership Initiative (Canada), and the REDD+ Indigenous Peoples Platform (global)

Advocacy for land rights and protection

• Indigenous peoples have been at the forefront of advocacy efforts to secure legal recognition and protection for their traditional lands and resources
• These efforts often involve the use of international human rights mechanisms, such as the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP), to assert Indigenous rights to self-determination, cultural identity, and environmental stewardship
• Indigenous advocacy has led to the establishment of important legal precedents and policy frameworks for the recognition and protection of Indigenous lands, such as the Indigenous and Tribal Peoples Convention (ILO 169) and the Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-sharing
• Examples of Indigenous land rights advocacy include the Idle No More movement (Canada), the Kayapo resistance to the Belo Monte Dam (Brazil), and the Waorani legal victory against oil drilling (Ecuador)

Threats to Indigenous stewardship

• Despite their vital role in conserving biodiversity and sustaining ecosystems, Indigenous peoples face numerous threats to their ability to practice traditional stewardship and maintain their cultural connections to the land
• These threats include industrial development, resource extraction, climate change, and the loss of biodiversity and habitat

Industrial development and resource extraction

• Industrial development and resource extraction, such as mining, logging, and oil and gas drilling, pose significant threats to Indigenous lands and livelihoods
• These activities often involve the destruction of ecosystems, the contamination of water and soil, and the displacement of Indigenous communities from their traditional territories
• Industrial development and resource extraction are often driven by external economic interests and fail to respect the rights and perspectives of Indigenous peoples
• Examples of industrial threats to Indigenous stewardship include the Tar Sands in Alberta, Canada, the Dakota Access Pipeline in the United States, and the Amazon rainforest in South America

Climate change impacts on traditional lands

• Climate change is having profound impacts on the traditional lands and resources of Indigenous peoples around the world
• Rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events are altering the distribution and abundance of plants and animals, and disrupting the ecological processes that sustain Indigenous livelihoods
• Climate change is exacerbating existing environmental stresses, such as habitat loss and invasive species, and making it more difficult for Indigenous communities to practice traditional stewardship and adapt to changing conditions
• Examples of climate change impacts on Indigenous lands include the melting of Arctic sea ice, the bleaching of coral reefs, and the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires

Loss of biodiversity and habitat destruction

• The loss of biodiversity and destruction of habitats are major threats to the ability of Indigenous peoples to practice traditional stewardship and maintain their cultural connections to the land
• Deforestation, land conversion, and other forms of habitat loss are reducing the availability of traditional resources, such as medicinal plants, game animals, and materials for crafts and construction
• The decline of biodiversity also erodes the traditional ecological knowledge and cultural practices of Indigenous peoples, which are often closely tied to specific species and habitats
• Examples of biodiversity loss and habitat destruction affecting Indigenous communities include the clear-cutting of old-growth forests in the Pacific Northwest, the draining of wetlands in the Everglades, and the conversion of grasslands to agriculture in the Great Plains

Indigenous-led environmental movements

• Indigenous peoples have been at the forefront of environmental movements around the world, using their traditional knowledge, cultural values, and political activism to protect their lands and assert their rights as stewards of the environment
• These movements often involve resistance against industrial development and extractive industries, the protection of sacred sites and cultural landscapes, and the assertion of Indigenous sovereignty and self-determination

Resistance against pipelines and extractive industries

• Indigenous communities have been at the forefront of resistance against pipelines and extractive industries that threaten their lands, waters, and ways of life
• These resistance movements often involve peaceful protests, legal challenges, and media campaigns to raise awareness about the environmental and cultural impacts of these projects
• Indigenous resistance has been instrumental in stopping or delaying major pipeline projects, such as the Keystone XL and Dakota Access pipelines in the United States, and the Trans Mountain pipeline in Canada
• Examples of Indigenous resistance against extractive industries include the Wet'suwet'en opposition to the Coastal GasLink pipeline in British Columbia, and the Munduruku resistance to the Belo Monte Dam in the Amazon

Protecting sacred sites and cultural landscapes

• Indigenous peoples have long recognized the spiritual and cultural significance of certain sites and landscapes, and have fought to protect these places from development and desecration
• Sacred sites and cultural landscapes are often associated with important ecological features, such as springs, mountains, and forests, and are essential for the transmission of traditional knowledge and the maintenance of cultural identity
• Indigenous efforts to protect sacred sites and cultural landscapes have involved legal challenges, public education campaigns, and direct action to prevent development and ensure access for ceremonial purposes
• Examples of Indigenous efforts to protect sacred sites include the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe's opposition to the Dakota Access Pipeline, the Lummi Nation's efforts to protect Xwe'chi'eXen (Cherry Point), and the San Carlos Apache Tribe's campaign to save Oak Flat from mining

Asserting sovereignty and self-determination

• Indigenous environmental movements are often closely tied to broader struggles for sovereignty and self-determination, as Indigenous peoples assert their inherent rights to govern their lands and resources
• Asserting sovereignty and self-determination involves challenging the legal and political structures that have historically marginalized and dispossessed Indigenous peoples, and demanding recognition of their rights as distinct nations with their own laws, customs, and traditions
• Indigenous sovereignty movements have been instrumental in securing important legal and policy victories, such as the recognition of Aboriginal title in Canada, and the establishment of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples
• Examples of Indigenous sovereignty movements include the Idle No More movement in Canada, the Zapatista uprising in Mexico, and the Māori sovereignty movement in New Zealand

Integration of Indigenous knowledge in conservation

• There is growing recognition of the value of integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices into mainstream conservation efforts, as a way to enhance the effectiveness, equity, and cultural relevance of these initiatives
• Integrating Indigenous knowledge in conservation involves collaboration between Indigenous communities and Western scientists, the co-management of protected areas, and the incorporation of traditional practices into restoration efforts

Collaboration with Western science

• Collaboration between Indigenous knowledge holders and Western scientists can lead to new insights and approaches to conservation that draw on the strengths of both knowledge systems
• Collaborative research projects can involve the co-production of knowledge, the development of culturally appropriate research protocols, and the sharing of data and results in ways that respect Indigenous intellectual property rights
• Examples of collaborative research projects include the Inuit Qaujisarvingat (Inuit Knowledge Centre) in Nunavut, Canada, and the Australian Indigenous Biocultural Knowledge Project
• Collaboration between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems can also inform the development of new technologies and management approaches, such as the use of drones for wildlife monitoring, and the application of traditional fire management practices to reduce wildfire risk

Co-management of protected areas

• Co-management of protected areas involves the sharing of decision-making power and management responsibilities between Indigenous communities and government agencies or conservation organizations
• Co-management arrangements can take many forms, from advisory boards and consultation processes to full joint management and Indigenous-led conservation initiatives
• Co-management of protected areas can help to ensure that conservation efforts are aligned with Indigenous cultural values and livelihood needs, and can provide opportunities for Indigenous communities to benefit from conservation-related economic activities, such as ecotourism and sustainable resource harvesting
• Examples of co-managed protected areas include Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site in Canada, Kakadu National Park in Australia, and the Kaa-Iya del Gran Chaco National Park in Bolivia

Incorporating traditional practices in restoration efforts

• Incorporating traditional practices into ecological restoration efforts can help to ensure that these initiatives are culturally appropriate, ecologically effective, and socially beneficial
• Traditional practices, such as controlled burning, selective harvesting, and agroforestry, can be used to restore degraded ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and provide sustainable livelihoods for Indigenous communities
• Incorporating traditional practices into restoration efforts can also help to revitalize Indigenous knowledge systems and cultural practices, and can provide opportunities for intergenerational learning and knowledge transfer
• Examples of restoration projects that incorporate traditional practices include the Nimiipuu Protecting the Environment project in Idaho, USA, the Whanganui River restoration project in New Zealand, and the Indigenous Peoples' Restoration Network in the Philippines

Benefits of Indigenous stewardship

• Indigenous stewardship provides numerous benefits for both Indigenous communities and the broader society, including the maintenance of ecological balance and biodiversity, the preservation of cultural heritage and identity, and the promotion of sustainable livelihoods and well-being

Maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity

• Indigenous stewardship practices, such as sustainable resource harvesting, habitat management, and the protection of sacred sites, help to maintain the ecological balance and biodiversity of the lands and waters on which Indigenous peoples depend
• Indigenous stewardship can help to conserve rare and endangered species, maintain ecosystem services such as water filtration and carbon sequestration, and enhance the resilience of ecosystems to climate change and other stressors
• Studies have shown that Indigenous-managed lands often have higher levels of biodiversity and lower rates of deforestation than non-Indigenous lands, highlighting the effectiveness of Indigenous stewardship practices
• Examples of Indigenous stewardship practices that maintain ecological balance and biodiversity include the use of traditional fire management by the Martu people in Australia, and the protection of sacred groves by the Khasi people in India

Preserving cultural heritage and identity

• Indigenous stewardship practices are deeply rooted in the cultural heritage and identity of Indigenous peoples, and play a vital role in the transmission of traditional knowledge, values, and practices across generations
• Engaging in traditional stewardship activities, such as hunting, fishing, and gathering, helps to maintain the cultural continuity and resilience of Indigenous communities, and provides a sense of connection to ancestral lands and ways of life
• Indigenous stewardship also helps to preserve the linguistic and artistic heritage of Indigenous peoples, as many Indigenous languages and art forms are closely tied to the land and the practices of resource management
• Examples of Indigenous stewardship practices that preserve cultural heritage and identity include the use of traditional ecological knowledge by the Inuit in the Arctic, and the creation of cultural parks by the Mapuche people in Chile

Promoting sustainable livelihoods and well-being

• Indigenous stewardship practices can provide sustainable livelihoods and enhance the well-being of Indigenous communities, by ensuring the long-term availability of traditional foods, medicines, and other resources
• Engaging in traditional stewardship activities can also provide opportunities for cultural education, social bonding, and the development of leadership skills, particularly among youth
• Indigenous stewardship can also generate economic benefits for Indigenous communities, through the development of sustainable resource-based enterprises, such as ecotourism, agroforestry, and the production of non-timber forest products
• Examples of Indigenous stewardship practices that promote sustainable livelihoods and well-being include the development of community-based fisheries by the Heiltsuk Nation in Canada, and the establishment of Indigenous-owned and operated safari camps in Kenya

Challenges in recognizing Indigenous stewardship

• Despite the numerous benefits of Indigenous stewardship, there are significant challenges in recognizing and supporting these practices, including colonial legacies and the dispossession of Indigenous lands, the marginalization and exclusion of Indigenous peoples from decision-making processes, and the lack of legal recognition and resource rights for Indigenous communities

Colonial legacies and dispossession of lands

• The dispossession of Indigenous lands through colonization, forced relocation, and the establishment of protected areas has had devastating impacts on the ability of Indigenous peoples to practice traditional stewardship and maintain their cultural connections to the land
• Colonial policies and practices, such as the doctrine of terra nullius and the forced assimilation of Indigenous children in residential schools, have undermined Indigenous knowledge systems, languages, and cultural practices
• The ongoing impacts of colonization, such as the fragmentation of Indigenous territories and the imposition of Western legal and political systems, continue to pose significant challenges for Indigenous stewardship and self-determination
• Examples of colonial legacies and land dispossession affecting Indigenous stewardship include the forced relocation of the Navajo people in the United States, and the establishment of national