Embedding sacred ecology in sustainability solutions: The role of post-secondary environmental science programs
Central European University
Description
There is increasing attention to the potential contribution of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) to addressing an unprecedented crisis in social-ecological systems. Approaches to the bridging of scientific and indigenous knowledges thus emerge as opportune for the development of sustainability solutions. In this context, the role of academic programs in environmental science stand out for fostering collaboration across knowledge systems. In Canada, this takes place as the country pursues a reconciliation agenda where the indigenization of higher education is a contentious topic, but certain universities take the lead. This study aims at illustrating what role(s) environmental science programs inclusive of TEK perspectives can play in advancing sustainability as Canada undertakes reconciliation. The focus is on how TEK is represented in selected academic programs and what is the potential contribution of these programs’ engagement in knowledge bridging to sustainability solutions. The programs studied are the late Integrative Science program offered at Cape Breton University; Trent University’s Indigenous Environmental Science and Studies Program; and the First Nations University of Canada’s Indigenous Environmental Science program. Through qualitative data analysis drawing on place-based environmental education perspectives that also cut across scale, results suggest that TEK is represented via ontological and epistemological pluralism associated with inclusive teaching/learning. Results also showed that the contribution of programs’ engagement in knowledge bridging to sustainability solutions is expressed in action-oriented components of courses, research projects and outreach activities. A renewed environmental ethics emerging from the studied programs’ experiences stands out as playing a major role in determining how relationships within and towards the environment are framed.