Traditional Ecological Knowledge

A dive into generations of Indigineous practices, beliefs and Knowledge

What Is TEK?

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is a cumulative, intergenerational body of knowledge, practices, and beliefs about the relationships between humans, plants, animals, landscapes, and spiritual systems, developed by Indigenous peoples through sustained interaction with their environments. For Rocky Mountain tribes like the Blackfeet, Ute, and Shoshone-Bannock, TEK encompasses sustainable hunting, fishing, fire management, and seasonal migration practices rooted in deep ecological understanding. It differs from Western science by emphasizing holistic, place-based wisdom transmitted orally and through lived experience.

Core Principles of TEK

Holistic Interconnectedness

TEK views humans as part of ecological and spiritual networks, rejecting the separation of 'nature' and 'culture'

Adaptive sustainability

Practices evolve over millennia to balance human needs with ecological carrying capacity (e.g., controlled burns for forest health)

Intergenerational transmission

Knowledge is shared through storytelling, ceremonies, and mentorship by elders

Ethical stewardship

Resources are managed with respect, reciprocity, and minimal waste (e.g., honoring animal spirits after a hunt)

Place-based specificity

TEK is tied to ancestral lands, reflecting localized ecological patterns and cultural identity

TEK Case Studies

'The Buffalo Return: Reviving Culture, Land, and Sovereignty

In 2023, the Blackfeet Nation reintroduced bison to their lands, restoring a sacred relative and keystone species. This act revitalizes cultural traditions, strengthens ecological health, and reasserts tribal sovereignty.

Southern Ute Tribe, Colorado: Burning for Balance

The Southern Ute apply controlled burning to manage forests, increase wildlife habitat, and revitalize ancestral fire stewardship suppressed by federal fire policy which is a practice that enhances biodiversity and reduces wildfire risk.