1. Bridging Traditional Knowledge and Western Science in Addressing Climate Change
Rose Kalistook
National Tribal Forum 2011
Spokane, Washington

2. Traditional Knowledge is defined as: Profound Knowledge including Indigenous Science, Ecological Wisdom, and is life based on experience of the individual and community which has been passed down from our elders to the seven generations to come.

3. TEK is a body of knowledge outlining how all living things interact with the environment.

4. Traditional life ways have always been the very core of our people
Traditional life ways have always been the very core of our people. The comparison of our ancestors ways of life have a lot of similarities to Christianity, respect for yourself, the people around you and the environment reflects strongly on our daily lives today.
Their faith was Ellam Yua, Ellam Yua was the unseen spirit that provided and watched over our people for thousands of years. The leaders of each community stressed to the tribe to respect the land and the waters because of the consequences that may happen if these laws of the land are being neglected.

6. Concerns raised by Traditional Practices
We are only as strong as Mother Earth
We were not discovered, we have always been here
If you damage anything within the sacred circle of life, eventually you damage yourself
If you take one item (insect, plant, fish, bird) out of the circle, eventually everything will die
Everything is connected

7. Today we are living the consequences human being’s have created.
The elders said the earth will change drastically along with the people, when the people start making noise the earth will follow
Paul Tunuchuk, Chefornak

9. The changing of the climate not only affects humans…
The changing of the climate not only affects humans….it affects our resources we depend on to survive

10. One critical example is:

11. How do we integrate Traditional Knowledge with Western Science??

12. We educate our leaders….
Welcome to Alaska!!!!
We educate our leaders….

13. Sharing our traditional culture and emphasizing the traditional indigenous knowledge is a way of life. This knowledge will remain with our people as long as we use the land and sea and their resources.

14. TEK Must Be Integrated into the Decision Making Process as a Collaborative approach to successfully begin addressing Climate Change

15. Traditional knowledge is complementary to western science, not a replacement for it.

16. Closing Comments
Since the beginning of time, the Alaska natives have relied upon the land and sea for their sustenance. The vast knowledge of the natural resources and environment that has been passed from generation to generation is a major component of the Native culture. This knowledge is not just limited to common knowledge of the resources, but includes specific details related to the condition of many different resources and how these conditions may have changed over the years.
The late Gary Kompkoff
President of Tatitlek IRA Council
Prince William Sound