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Two Canoes in Parallel: Tribal/EPA Collaboration to Advance the Cooperation of Western and Indigenous Science Approaches in the U.S.
Citation:
Patterson, N., J. Zambrana, P. Hingst, B. Rashleigh, AND M. Rodia. Two Canoes in Parallel: Tribal/EPA Collaboration to Advance the Cooperation of Western and Indigenous Science Approaches in the U.S. 2020 SETAC North America Annual Meeting, Virtual, November 15 - 19, 2020.
Impact/Purpose:
This session builds on the 2019 symposium at SETAC Toronto "Western Research Methods and Indigenous Knowledge: Collaborative Approaches to Advance Sustainable Environmental Quality and Ecosystem Integrity" to provide a platform for the input of Indigenous cultural knowledge into the SETAC community and the research undertaken by its members. This planned session encourages diverse presenters from around the globe, especially Indigenous/traditional presenters, and from all sectors including indigenous communities and academia, government, business and NGOs involved in community-inclusive and co-led collaborative research and other environmental management projects. Topics that will be sought for this session include: community engagement and education efforts related to science on Indigenous lands and waterways; linking traditional knowledge and Western science; integration of Indigenous methodologies in science; development of effective community-based monitoring programs; and joint governance initiatives with Indigenous/traditional communities in environmental management approaches and decisions. This presentation will be a joint presentation of tribal and agency leadership of the Tribal Science Council, sponsored by EPA's Office of Research and Development, to highlight the collaborative work of the Council in bringing together Western and Indigenous science approaches to support environmental and public health protection.
Description:
In a manner consistent with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Indian Policy and trust responsibility, the mission of the National EPA-Tribal Science Council (TSC) is to provide a forum for interaction between Tribal and Agency representatives of mutual benefit and responsibility to work collaboratively on environmental scientific issues. The Council is sponsored by EPA’s Office of Research and Development (ORD). The Council addresses a wide range of scientific issues, including research, monitoring, modeling, information, technology, and training in Indian country. To support the subsistence, cultural, and ceremonial lifestyles of Indigenous Peoples and the safe use and availability of a healthy environment for present and future generations, the TSC is committed to the development of sound holistic, integrated, and cross-media scientific approaches. Working in collaboration, Agency and Tribal staff are working to: develop science in support of tribal sovereignty, especially by addressing the dual TSC priorities of climate change and incorporating local/traditional/indigenous knowledge into environmental and public health protection; help gather and address key science needs in Indian Country; and facilitate information sharing on science issues and solutions. The Two Row Wampum Treaty of the Haudenosaunee has inspired the Council’s efforts to recognize two vessels of knowledge systems Western science and Indigenous science- working in parallel. This presentation will highlight the collaborative work of the Council to collate examples of Western and Indigenous science working cooperatively. Relevant examples will be shared as well as ways in which this information can better inform the environmental protection efforts in Indian country, and the implementation of ORD’s research portfolio.
