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Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) refers to the knowledge and educational systems developed by oral cultures, past and present, whose subsistence was or has been based on resources in their local environment for hundreds or thousands of years. Unlike Western ecological science, TEK is holistic: it includes teachings that help individuals understand their role within the local ecosystem, moral precepts that guide their interactions with its occupants, skill and knowledge sets used for resource extraction and management, and expressive media used to encode and transmit this vast body of knowledge. Thus, TEK encompasses not only natural history, but philosophy, governance, technology, and the arts. Over the past few decades, interest in TEK has grown exponentially, as Western scientists, policy makers, and public administrators have recognized its importance in addressing problems associated with climate change and sustainability. This, in turn, has raised concerns about respect for Indigenous intellectual property rights. This course integrates Indigenous and Western perspectives to provide a multidimensional understanding of TEK in diverse cultures and ecosystems across the planet. |