PW01 Assessment
Exhibit Hall
8:00 AM - Wednesday
(PW009) Using Alaska Native Traditional Knowledge in Natural Resources Management.
Isaacs, J1, Maki, A1, 1 URS Corporation, Alaska, USA
ABSTRACT- The use of Traditional Knowledge is a revolutionary technique for managing natural resources. Indigenous people of Alaska (Alaska Natives) have observed changes in the environment and in the distribution and populations of fish and wildlife over many generations. Collecting these observations and using them effectively in managing natural resources can be challenging, and has historically met opposition. However, the value of these observations has been increasingly recognized by western scientists and natural resource managers. Traditional Knowledge represents the cumulative and dynamic observations of people who have lived in the environment for generations, as compared to observations based on intensive, short-term research in the field that is typical during the summer in Alaska. There are more than 200 communities with federally recognized tribal governments in Alaska who have great potential to contribute to a better understanding of the environment. The enactment of Executive Orders on Environmental Justice and Consultation and Coordination with Indian Tribal Governments in the mid-1990s increased the focus on Alaska Native issues. These issues are often addressed as part of National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) analysis. Federal agencies responsible for managing lands, waters, fish, and wildlife are collecting Traditional Knowledge and incorporating it into NEPA compliance documents and management activities to varying degrees. Several agencies have established regional and statewide advisory councils to provide Alaska Native input to resource managers. Outreach efforts to Alaska Natives have increased and in some cases contributed to the compilation of a Traditional Knowledge database. Compliance with the NEPA process and related Executive Orders provides a mechanism for encouraging participation of Alaska Natives in natural resources management decision-making and more recently, co-management of resources. Increased use of Traditional Knowledge has been well received and is an interdisciplinary approach to resources management.
Key words: alaska natives, traditional knowledge, co-management, national environmental policy act