Native American Liaison
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The term Traditional Ecological Knowledge, or TEK, is used to describe the knowledge held by indigenous cultures about their immediate environment and the cultural practices that build on that knowledge. Traditional ecological knowledge includes an intimate and detailed knowledge of plants, animals, and natural phenomena, the development and use of appropriate technologies for hunting, fishing, trapping, agriculture, and forestry, and a holistic knowledge, or "world view" which parallels the scientific discipline of ecology (Berkes 1993).

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TEK Basic Information
Fact Sheet ~ Traditional Ecological Knowledge for Application by Service Scientists

TEK Fact Sheet

Traditional Ecological Knowledge, also called by other names including Indigenous Knowledge or Native Science, (hereafter, TEK) refers to the evolving knowledge acquired by indigenous and local peoples over hundreds or thousands of years through direct contact with the environment. This knowledge is specific to a location and includes the relationships between plants, animals, natural phenomena, landscapes and timing of events that are used for lifeways, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, trapping, agriculture, and forestry. Read More. Pdf File

 

Traditional Ecological Knowledge an Introduction (ppt)

Traditional Ecological Knowledge an Introduction

The evolving knowledge acquired by indigenous and local peoples over hundreds or thousands of years through direct contact with the environment. This knowledge is specific to a location and includes the relationships between plants, animals, natural phenomena, landscapes, and timing of events that are used for lifeways. Read More. Pdf File

 

 

 

Comparing TEK and Western Science

Comparing TEK and Western ScienceFrom Barnhardt and Kawagley 2005. Read More. Pdf File

 

 

 

 

 

Integrating Use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Integrating Use of Traditional Ecological Knowledge into the U.S. Fish and Wildlife ServiceWhat is TEK? A Working Definition:

The evolving knowledge acquired by indigenous and local peoples over hundreds or thousands of years through direct contact with the environment.

This knowledge is specific to a location and includes the relationships between plants, animals, natural phenomena, landscapes, and timing of events that are used for lifeways.

Accumulating body of knowledge, practice and belief, evolving by adaptive processes and handed down through generations by cultural transmission, about the relationship of living beings (human and non‐human) with one another and with the environment.

It encompasses the world view of indigenous people which includes ecology, spirituality, human and animal relationships, and more. Read More . Pdf File

 

 

 

Disclaimer: Resource material and links provided are for informational purposes only.
It does not imply endorsement of any kind by the U.S. Government.
Last updated: October 15, 2012
External Affairs
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