Bridging Indigenous Knowledge and Environmental Stewardship

As our planet faces growing environmental challenges, Indigenous Peoples have long recognized the importance of sustainable land management and hold deep, holistic knowledge of ecosystems—wisdom that is vital in guiding today’s environmental efforts. This knowledge, passed down through generations, reflects a worldview where all living things are interconnected. Indigenous lands, covering one-third of the Earth’s territories, remain largely in good ecological condition, with 91% of Indigenous-managed lands in fair or good health.

Building Respectful Partnerships with Indigenous Communities

Collaboration and mutual respect are key when working with Indigenous communities. Indigenous knowledge is not just an addition to modern science; it is integral to creating sustainable solutions. Collaboration requires a respectful knowledge-sharing process, ensuring both perspectives are woven together. For example, Central to this approach is multigenerational responsibility, where Indigenous peoples are stewards of the land not just for themselves, but for future generations. Environmental projects must be designed with a long-term view, considering the lasting impact on future generations. This way of thinking is essential for creating sustainable conservation initiatives.

An Evolving Approach: The Principles of ALIVE

The ALIVE principles—Acknowledgment, Leadership, Insights, Value, and Expertise—are key to fostering respectful collaborations with Indigenous communities. These principles emphasize the importance of acknowledging the value of Indigenous knowledge, empowering communities to lead, listening to their insights, and respecting their expertise in land management. By embracing these principles, environmental projects can better support and strengthen Indigenous worldviews and ensure cultural and ecological sustainability.

Collaborative Restoration for Long-Term Solutions

Collaborative restoration efforts that weave Indigenous knowledge with modern science offer long-term solutions for environmental and climate resilience. A powerful example of combining Indigenous knowledge with Western science is a restoration project in the Northwest Territories, where the Tłı̨chǫ Government, in partnership with Tree Canada, is working to heal lands affected by wildfires. This initiative, guided by Tłı̨chǫ Traditional Knowledge and Western science, involves planting one million trees to restore a landscape that has long sustained the Tłı̨chǫ people.By blending scientific methodologies—such as soil analysis, species selection, and climate impact modelling—with deep-rooted Traditional Knowledge that respects seasonal cycles, land stewardship principles, and spiritual relationships to the land, the project exemplifies “Two-Eyed Seeing.” This approach strengthens ecological outcomes while honouring cultural continuity and local leadership, ensuring that reforestation is not only technically effective but also meaningful to the community’s identity and future.

Following the devastating 2023 wildfires in British Columbia, Tree Canada is also collaborating with the sməlqmix (Lower Similkameen Indian Band) to restore the Ashnola River Watershed. This reforestation project aims to heal the Similkameen Community Forest and surrounding land for future generations. The project follows sməlqmix principles of fire resilience, biodiversity, and food sovereignty, crucial for restoring unceded sməlqmix lands.By working together, these approaches not only restore the land but also create sustainable models for the future, ensuring that ecosystems thrive for generations to come.

Source: World Economic Forum in collaboration with Deloitte, Embedding Indigenous Knowledge in the Conservation and Restoration of Landscapes, insight report January 2023