Traditional Ecological Knowledge
in the Great Lakes Region
This site was created to share information, context, and resources related to Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), as they relate to American Indians,* with a focus on the Great Lakes Region of the United States. It is a collaborative project of the University of Minnesota and the National Park Service (with additional support from the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative).
Goals of the site:
1. To encourage appropriate engagement in research and other efforts that are inclusive of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Traditional Ecological Knowledge.**
2. To promote respectful, consistent, and mutually beneficial collaborations with American Indian tribal nations, their peoples, and intertribal organizations and groups.
A Guidance Document on Traditional Ecological Knowledge (bia.gov) was compiled to describe how TEK can be appropriately approached to inform, direct, and enhance Great Lakes science, research, and management activities. The document also highlights examples of successful collaboration with Tribes and TEK for Great Lakes research and management. Learn more about the guidance document here.
*The term American Indian has been chosen for its use throughout the site as it is the designation most commonly used by the United States federal government throughout its history of laws and policies pertaining to the Indigenous peoples that reside within the lower 48 states. Whenever possible, specific names of American Indian tribal nations and their peoples should be used in lieu of this general term. Information on Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians are not included in this site; readers are highly encouraged to learn more about these groups through appropriate resources.
**The website is not a resource for specific information held within various Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Traditional Ecological Knowledges.