Traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) refers to the body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs acquired by Indigenous people over hundreds or thousands of years through direct contact with their environment. It is sometimes referred to as “Indigenous knowledge.”
TEK is continually evolving, passed between generations, and encompasses knowledge of relationships between people, plants, animals, and natural phenomena. It is interwoven with cultural and spiritual practices, and emphasizes relationships of reciprocity. Examples of TEK use in modern conservation include cultural burning to facilitate native vegetation growth and reintroduction of native species like salmon, bison, and beavers.
To see TEK in action, watch the amazing revitalization of Battle Creek in “Wild Hope: Reclaiming Bear River.”