CEW 2025
Plenary Sessions
Western Science, Traditional Knowledge
and the Two-Eyed Seeing Concept
An opportunity for meaningful collaboration and integration
in environmental monitoring and ecotoxicology
Monday Oct. 6th, 08:30 - 10:15
Scientific monitoring and traditional knowledge:
Transparency, equivalency and two-eyed seeing
Plenary Overview and Speaker Introduction
Dr. Rainie Sharpe
WSP Technical Director, Aquatic Scientist
Environmental monitoring, as the majority of CEW members have come to know and practice it, is reliant on reductionist, quantitative processes that have been universally developed over centuries to generate objective, reproducible results based on adaptive learning and a peer-reviewed validation protocol. This is often referred to as western science. Traditional knowledge (TK), a term considered to also include the Inuit Qauihimajatuqangit for the purposes of this abstract, is largely based on holistic, qualitative and reciprocal practices, founded in the practical aspects of life, with deeply-rooted contextual relevance to the holders of the knowledge, and places emphasis on the interconnectedness of all living things. In the spirit of reconciliation, there has been a shift towards what is referred to as two-eyed seeing, a wish to better incorporate the more subtle and equally relevant (but less quantifiable) TK related to our complex ecosystems with the science that is relied upon to monitor these ecosystems for regulatory and conservation purposes. This plenary will attempt to address the questions: · What do we do when western science and TK tell different stories? · How do we honour two-eyed seeing when implementing our environmental observations? This panel session will bring together speakers with relevant experience and novel perspectives to present their views and discuss this fascinating, sensitive and important topic with the audience.
Different knowledge systems
in "State of" reporting
Leon Andrew (Sahtu Renewable Resources Board, NWT)
Vice Chief Joseph Tsannie (Prince Albert Grand Council, SK)
Paula Siwik (Mackenzie Board, ECCC)
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The Mackenzie River Basin Transboundary Waters Master Agreement (the Agreement) was signed in 1997 by the Government of Canada, British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories and Yukon. The Agreement includes principles to support trans-boundary water governance in the Mackenzie River Basin and established the Mackenzie River Basin Board (MRBB). The MRBB has 13 members; one Indigenous and one government member from each of the five provinces and territories in the basin and three federal government members. One duty of the MRBB is to report on the state of the aquatic environment in the Mackenzie River Basin. In 2021, the MRBB published an online State of the Aquatic Environment Report (SOAER) that included publicly available science and Indigenous Knowledge for 4 aquatic indicators. The report used the idea of a three part braid with one strand representing Indigenous Knowledge, one strand representing science, and the third the co-created story brought together without comparison or integration of one knowledge system into another. Leon Andrew and Vice Chief Joseph Tsannie are MRBB members for the Northwest Territories and Saskatchewan respectively. They provided advice and guidance during the development of the 2021 SOAER and were members of the Indigenous Steering Committee for the Tracking Change program, a key source of information for the 2021 SOAER. They will share their experiences of working on projects that include or are informed by different knowledge systems.
A Tłı̨chǫ community-based monitoring program:
Integrating science and TK for fish resource management
Dr. Paul Vecsei & Terrell Knapton-Pain
(Tłı̨chǫ Government Lands Protection & Renewable Resources)
In northern Canada and specifically within the Tłı̨chǫ boundary of the Northwest Territories, Indigenous reassertion of rights and responsibilities has led to interest in long-term monitoring of their natural resources. The Tłı̨chǫ Community-based monitoring Programs are designed to determine whether fish, water, and sediment quality are changing over time, and whether fish and water are safe to consume. A primary purpose of the program is also to integrate science and traditional knowledge in an outdoor classroom environment and then as part of the annual reports. Three annual programs are run consecutively but the Tlicho Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program (TAEMP) rotates sampling through the Tłı̨chǫ communities so that every community has samples collected and analysed once every four years. The Marian Watershed Stewardship Program (MWSP) is focused on different parts of the Marian River and the Dinà gà Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring Program (DAEMP) includes the entire North Arm of Great Slave Lake. As a community-driven programs, they all involve community members in conducting contaminants-related monitoring, including the collection of samples and observations using both Tłı̨chǫ and scientific knowledge. The programs use extensive laboratory analysis of samples collected. Results are annually presented to relevant communities.
Lessons learned in science partnerships
Dr. Timothy D. Jardine
School of Environment and Sustainability, Toxicology Centre
University of Saskatchewan
Creating science partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples can be a daunting task, especially when the stakes are high such as in industrial project developments and conservation or restoration initiatives. Owing to past and ongoing breaches of trust and colonial power dynamics, relationships can quickly become adversarial, which presents barriers to gaining a shared understanding of environmental phenomena that is needed to ensure sustainable relationships between humans and the natural world. Drawing on experiences over the past 15+ years of partnerships in northern Australia and northern Canada, I offer eight lessons that I have learned, often the hard way, that have shaped my approach to research as a non-Indigenous biologist. These include ensuring reciprocity, understanding history, drawing connections, accepting disagreements, practicing humility, getting outdoors, recognizing risks, and spending time together.