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Two-Eyed Seeing: Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Why is it important to listen to Indigenous voices as we regenerate the natural world?

Secondary, Middle

Description

As we urgently seek to regenerate the natural world, what can we learn from the original stewards of our planet? In this video, Indigenous peoples and scientists advocate for "two-eyed seeing," or uniting traditional ecological knowledge with modern science: "There's a Western framework and there's also a traditional framework," says Dr. Frank Lake, a research ecologist for the USDA Forest Service and a member of the Yurok and Karuk communities, "and when you can align those and bring those together, then we help create the best available science together." Traditional Ecological Knowledge dates back thousands of years, and Indigenous peoples have always understood that we are a part of the ecosystem and in service to it. It is essential to listen to Indigenous voices as we regenerate the natural world.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

The video supports those units of study that explore Indigenous peoples' relationship to the environment and traditional Indigenous knowledge.  The video would be an excellent introduction to a unit dealing with TEK.

Other activities:

  • Students could use a Venn diagram to identify what TEK and Western Science have in common. 
  • Have students describe and identify examples of Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
  • Have students suggest the strengths of Indigenous Peoples’ ways of knowing and Western ways of knowing and how they can work together to address an environmental issue.
  • Explore the concept of interconnectedness of all living things in an ecosystem using First Nations Traditional Knowledge examples.
  • Discuss what the students can learn from their own parents, grandparents or community members about their past.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environment and Outdoor Education: Environmental Investigations
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 10: Media arts offer unique ways of exploring our identity and sense of belonging.
        • Media Arts 10: Traditions, perspectives, worldviews, and stories can be shared through media arts.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 10: Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed
        • New Media 10: People understand text differently depending on their world views and perspectives
        • New Media 10: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 11: Media arts provide a unique way to represent self, identity, and culture
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 11: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives
        • Composition 11: Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed
        • Literary Studies 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Literary Studies 11:People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
        • New Media 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
        • Environmental Science 11:Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 12: Aesthetic experiences have the power to change our perspective
        • Media Arts 12: Media arts are an essential element of culture and reveal insights into the human experience
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English Studies 12:The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • New Media 12: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.
        • Environmental Science 12: Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing population
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 6
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity::Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity::Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Indigenous Languages and Cultures
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Cultural Diversity
        • Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: Other Cultures: Connections and Influences
  • Nunavut
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 10: Media arts offer unique ways of exploring our identity and sense of belonging.
        • Media Arts 10: Traditions, perspectives, worldviews, and stories can be shared through media arts.
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 10: Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed
        • New Media 10: People understand text differently depending on their world views and perspectives
        • New Media 10: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 11: Media arts provide a unique way to represent self, identity, and culture
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 11: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives
        • Composition 11: Texts are socially, culturally, geographically, and historically constructed
        • Literary Studies 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Literary Studies 11:People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
        • New Media 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
        • Environmental Science 11:Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Media Arts 12: Aesthetic experiences have the power to change our perspective
        • Media Arts 12: Media arts are an essential element of culture and reveal insights into the human experience
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English Studies 12:The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • New Media 12: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system
        • Environmental Science 12: Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth.

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

Indigenous Knowledge (1)

  • TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge

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