Use of traditional knowledge by the United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to support resource management

James J. Kendall Jr.; Jeffrey J. Brooks; Chris Campbell; Kathleen L. Wedemeyer; Catherine C. Coon; Sharon E. Warren; Guillermo Auad; Dennis K. Thurston; Rodney E. Cluck; Frances E. Mann; Sharon A. Randall; Mark A. Storzer; David W. Johnston; Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka; Michael L. Haller

doi:10.5817/CPR2017-2-15

Use of traditional knowledge by the United States Bureau of Ocean Energy Management to support resource management

Vol.7,No.2(2017)

James J. Kendall Jr. Jeffrey J. Brooks Chris Campbell Kathleen L. Wedemeyer Catherine C. Coon Sharon E. Warren Guillermo Auad Dennis K. Thurston Rodney E. Cluck Frances E. Mann Sharon A. Randall Mark A. Storzer David W. Johnston Deanna Meyer-Pietruszka Michael L. Haller

https://doi.org/10.5817/CPR2017-2-15

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Abstract

Professionals who collect and use traditional knowledge to support resource management decisions often are preoccupied with concerns over how and if traditional knowledge should be integrated with science. To move beyond the integration dilemma, we treat traditional knowledge and science as distinct and complementary knowledge systems. We focus on applying traditional knowledge within the decision-making process. We present succinct examples of how the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management has used traditional knowledge in decision making in the North Slope Borough, Alaska: 1) using traditional knowledge in designing, planning, and conducting scientific research; 2) applying information from both knowledge systems at the earliest opportunity in the process; 3) using traditional knowledge in environmental impacts assessment; 4) consulting with indigenous leaders at key decision points; and 5) applying traditional knowledge at a programmatic decision level. Clearly articulating, early in the process, how best to use traditional knowledge and science can allow for more complete and inclusive use of available and pertinent information.

Keywords:
Adaptive process; consultation; decision making; environmental impact analysis; indigenous knowledge; mitigation; North Slope Borough; scientific research; subsistence

References

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