Document Type

Article

Publication Date

2019

Abstract

Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is defined as a deep understanding of the environment developed by local communities and indigenous peoples over generations. In the United States, Canada, and around the world, indigenous peoples are increasingly advocating for incorporation of TEK into a range of environmental decisionmaking contexts, including natural resource and wildlife management, pollution standards, environmental and social planning, environmental impact assessment, and adaptation to climate change. On October 31, 2018, ELI hosted an expert panel on TEK, co-sponsored by the National Native American Bar Association and the American Bar Association Section of Environment, Energy, and Resources. The panel discussed the challenges that indigenous peoples face in defending the legitimacy of, and intellectual property in, TEK; how policymakers can modify existing laws and regulations to better incorporate TEK; and the potential for TEK to meet today's most pressing environmental challenges. Below, we present a transcript of the discussion, which has been edited for style, clarity, and space considerations.

Publication Title

Environmental Law Reporter News & Analysis,

Volume

49

Article Number

1124

First Page

10309

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