Indigenous knowledge systems, such as traditional ecological knowledge, contain climate observations and adaptation strategies reaching back millennia. These include methods for caring for our natural resources, such as through drought resilient agriculture, soil, and water management practices. Despite a growing global recognition among researchers and resource managers of the value of Indigenous knowledges and practices for enhancing climate adaptation, tendancies towards accessing Indigenous knowledges without regarding Indigenous decision-making needs, sovereignty, or rights for self-determination hinder effective knowledge-exchange.
This project aims to serve societal needs by providing practical pathways for shifting from extractive to Indigenous self-determined research, effectively reducing barriers for Tribal governance and knowledge exchange in climate adaptation. This includes developing culturally-responsive, evidence-informed training materials for researchers, managers, and others who engage with Indigenous knowledges and communities. Through our analyses, in partnership with our Indigenous Advisory Council, researchers will improve our understanding of current trends in policy and practice applied within Tribally-focused climate adaptation initiatives both nationally and in the Southwest and host an inter-Tribal knowledge exchange and mapping workshop focused on Indigenous-led climate adaptation success stories. Interactive learning modules, a digital StoryMap, publications, and educational sessions generated from this project will serve as learning resources to enhance climate adaptation initiatives that engage Indigenous knowledges and serve to strengthen inter-Tribal and Tribal/non-Tribal partnerships.
