Indigenous-Led Climate Adaptation and Mitigation

About the Webinar

Indigenous community and mainstream science partnership is moving from the norms of “a seat at the table” or consultation toward Indigenous communities leading projects with mainstream science participation through invitation. This shift in power dynamics reaffirms Indigenous self-determination and sovereignty. While existing models for the Indigenous community and mainstream partnership have utility, we are entering a new phase of how to define equitable partnerships. Land conservation organizations are struggling with how to maintain their conservation goals while being responsive to the #LandBack movement. New federal guidelines open space for Indigenous knowledge incorporation in decision-making frameworks, although little guidance on how to incorporate Indigenous knowledge is provided. At the federal level, there is sizable investment in direct Indigenous community support for climate change projects. In response, decision-makers, researchers, and resource managers will need to adjust to new ways of working within multiple knowledge systems. Using the metaphor of braiding can help provide insights to working with multiple epistemologies. Through the process of braiding, neither Indigenous knowledge or mainstream science are compromised or have their identity is reduced. Once woven, the resulting product is stronger than either individual strand. Drawing from a wide range of projects I will discuss successful climate projects rooted in braided knowledge systems.

 About the Presenter

Dr. Marco Hatch is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science at the College of the Environment, Western Washington University. Marco is marine ecologist with a Ph.D. in Biological Oceanography from Scripps Institution of Oceanography and a member of the Samish Indian Nation. Prior to WWU he directed the Salish Sea Research Center at Northwest Indian College. His research weaves traditional ecological knowledge and marine science through the exploration of food systems. He is currently co-PI for the NSF funded Native Food, Energy, Water Systems INCLUDES Alliance. Hatch is on the Board of Trustees for the Washington Chapter of the Nature Conservancy and an Advisory Committee member for the UN Decade Northeast Pacific Collaborative Center.  Awards and Recognition 2017 Research Conservation Award, Seattle Aquarium 2017 Outstanding Native American Mentor, Society of Chicanos / Latinos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS) 2017 WWU Profiles faculty 2017 Lifelong Learning Certificate in STEM: WWU Campus Equity & Inclusion Forum

Interested in a past webinar? CERF members can access all available webinar recordings in the Webinar Library (login required)!