Abstract
Abstract. The knowledge systems and practices of Indigenous Peoples and local communities play critical roles in safeguarding the biological and cultural diversity of our planet. Globalization, government policies, capitalism, colonialism, and other rapid social-ecological changes threaten the relationships between Indigenous Peoples and local communities and their environments, thereby challenging the continuity and dynamism of Indigenous and Local Knowledge (ILK). In this article, we contribute to the "World Scientists' Warning to Humanity," issued by the Alliance of World Scientists, by exploring opportunities for sustaining ILK systems on behalf of the future stewardship of our planet. Our warning raises the alarm about the pervasive and ubiquitous erosion of knowledge and practice and the social and ecological consequences of this erosion. While ILK systems can be adaptable and resilient, the foundations of these knowledge systems are compromised by ongoing suppression, misrepresentation, appropriation, assimilation, disconnection, and destruction of biocultural heritage. Three case studies illustrate these processes and how protecting ILK is central to biocultural conservation. We conclude with 15 recommendations that call for the recognition and support of Indigenous Peoples and local communities and their knowledge systems. Enacting these recommendations will entail a transformative and sustained shift in how ILK systems, their knowledge holders, and their multiple expressions in lands and waters are recognized, affirmed, and valued. We appeal for urgent action to support the efforts of Indigenous Peoples and local communities around the world to maintain their knowledge systems, languages, stewardship rights, ties to lands and waters, and the biocultural integrity of their territories-on which we all depend.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 144-169 |
| Number of pages | 26 |
| Journal | Journal Of Ethnobiology |
| Volume | 41 |
| Issue number | 2 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Jul 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:We dedicate this work to all the Indigenous Peoples and local communities who are working arduously to sustain their knowledge systems and connections to place. We hope that this piece serves to honor and support their efforts. We would also like to acknowledge the Society of Ethnobiology for providing a forum for learning, sharing, and ally-ship. It is through the Society that the seeds of this collective endeavor were planted. Our thanks to Journal of Ethnobiology editor, Robert Quinlan, for shepherding our paper through the review system, to the five peer reviewers, for their excellent suggestions, and to Louise Williams for help producing Figure 3 and for the many drafts of a figure that did not make the final cut. D. L. is grateful to the Northwest Coast reading group in the Department of Archaeology, Simon Fraser University, for their very helpful comments on an earlier draft. Á. F-Ll. acknowledges financial support from the Academy of Finland (grant nr. 311176), the Kone Foundation, and the Helsinki Institute of Sustainability Science (HELSUS). P. O’B. L and J. Y. were funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s Strategic Science Investment Funding. D. L. and K. L. would like to acknowledge David Lertzman, who devoted his life to protecting and honoring Indigenous knowledge.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2021 Society of Ethnobiology. All rights reserved.
