PARENT SESSION
Oral Session #50: Traditional Ecological Knowledge.
Presiding: J. Ford
Wednesday, August 7. 8:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Greenlee Meeting Room, TCC.

A University/Tribal partnership for education,outreach and research in plant restoration.

KIMMERER, ROBIN^*,1, SHENANDOAH, JEANNE², ¹ SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry, Syracuse, NY² Onondaga Nation, Nedrow, NY

ABSTRACT- Traditional knowledge of plant population trends has stimulated concerns about declines in culturally significant plants which are important for maintenance of cultural practices. Onondaga Nation and SUNY ESF collaborate on activities of biocultural restoration which combine education, outreach and ecological research. Restoration activities emphasize the renewal of relationships between members of the community and culturally significant plants, in addition to restoration of the plants themselves. We have collaborated on restoration of culturally significant plants including black ash (Fraxinus nigra) and sweetgrass (Hierochloe odorata) for basketry. The partnership has had a positive impact on maintenance and dissemination of traditional knowledge within the community through a series of collaborative educational efforts. Outreach projects include a nature trail at the tribal school, culturally relevant environmental education materials, community workshops on traditional plant use and development of a medicinal plants garden. The collaborations have also resulted in increased awareness among collaborating university students of the value of traditional knowledge in ecological restoration. Integration of traditional knowledge and scientific practice poses numerous challenges. We present recommendations for development of mutually beneficial partnerships

KEY WORDS: traditional ecological knowledge, educational outreach, restoration, university/tribal partnership