Hi everyone! I wanted to share an article I just published in EwA's Blog called Harnessing Indigenous Wisdom for a Thriving Planet. Its focus is on traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), which is Indigenous knowledge developed over centuries through close interaction with the environment. Rooted in environmental stewardship, TEK is deeply connected to Indigenous culture and language and is passed down through generations. The piece explores what makes TEK such a valuable and respectable knowledge base. It discusses the benefits of integrating TEK with Western-based science to address complex environmental issues--including climate change and the biodiversity crisis--while acknowledging the challenges that can arise with this integration and how to navigate them. In the article, I include examples of TEK in practice and how it is being applied within Western scientific spheres. I researched and wrote this article as part of the EwA Library project, using the opportunity to dive into a topic I’ve long been curious about and that I thought the EwA community would appreciate. Ashley, our incredible EwA librarian, will introduce the EwA Digital Library in an upcoming post—stay tuned for that! Writing this piece was both eye-opening and meaningful. TEK is something I'd never fully explored in my formal education, even as an environmental studies major. It was powerful to learn that Indigenous communities have long been collecting environmental data and conducting research in ways that often go unrecognized by mainstream science. As a scientist, this experience challenged how I think about what constitutes credible knowledge. While it was disheartening to read how often TEK is overlooked, I came away from this project feeling hopeful. There is a wealth of knowledge out there that can help us address today’s urgent environmental challenges. TEK offers insight into how we might live more sustainably and respond more effectively to climate change. If you’re curious to learn more, check out the sources cited in the article, along with additional materials in the EwA library’s TEK Collection. Let it be a jumping-off point for your own exploration, and feel free to share what you discover with the community! | 
