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Traditional Knowledge and Wisdom: A Guide for Understanding and Shaping Alaskan Social-Ecological Change

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Linking Ecology and Ethics for a Changing World

Part of the book series: Ecology and Ethics ((ECET,volume 1))

Abstract

Alaska is warming twice as fast as the global average. These environmental changes interact with social and economic changes and have particularly strong impacts on rural indigenous communities that depend on their biophysical environment for food, access to the land and sea, and their sense of identity. Many of the observations of indigenous hunters, gatherers, and elders are consistent with those of western science, providing a strong foundation for understanding and adapting to ongoing changes. However, a commonly expressed worldview of many Alaska Natives differs from perspectives that are common in western science. This indigenous worldview recognizes people as integral components of the ecosystems they inhabit, connected by both biophysical and spiritual ties and motivated by respect for the natural environment and its human, non-human, and spiritual residents. This ethic of respect and reciprocity dictates a responsibility to foster the long-term well-being of all of Earth’s residents. This is consistent with a paradigm of stewardship that seeks to shape trajectories of change in ways that foster ecological resilience and human well being. We suggest that indigenous worldviews offer perspectives that can contribute substantially to efforts that foster global sustainability.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biology and Wildlife, Institute of Arctic Biology, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 410A Irving 1, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA

    F. Stuart Chapin III

  2. Alaska Native Science Commission, 429 L Street, Anchorage, AK, 99501, USA

    Patricia Cochran

  3. Tanana Chiefs Conference, Wildlife and Parks, 122 First Avenue, Suite 600, Fairbanks, AK, 99701, USA

    Orville H. Huntington

  4. University of Alaska Fairbanks, 752054, Fairbanks, AK, 99775, USA

    Corrine N. Knapp

  5. Scenarios Network for Alaska and Arctic Planning, University of Alaska Fairbanks, 3352 College Road, Suite 200, Fairbanks, AK, 99709, USA

    Todd J. Brinkman

  6. Kawerak, Inc., 948, Nome, AK, 99762, USA

    Lily R. Gadamus

Authors
  1. F. Stuart Chapin III
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  2. Patricia Cochran
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  3. Orville H. Huntington
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  4. Corrine N. Knapp
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  5. Todd J. Brinkman
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  6. Lily R. Gadamus
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to F. Stuart Chapin III .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. University of Texas, Sub-Antarctic Biocultural Conservation Department of Philosophy and Religion St, Denton, USA

    Ricardo Rozzi

  2. Plant Ecology, Cary Institute of Ecosystem Studies, Millbrook, New York, USA

    S.T.A. Pickett

  3. Department of Philosophy, Texas A&M University, College Station, USA

    Clare Palmer

  4. Departamento de Ecología, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile

    Juan J. Armesto

  5. Department of Philosophy and Religion Studies, University of North Texas, Denton, USA

    J. Baird Callicott

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Chapin, F.S., Cochran, P., Huntington, O.H., Knapp, C.N., Brinkman, T.J., Gadamus, L.R. (2013). Traditional Knowledge and Wisdom: A Guide for Understanding and Shaping Alaskan Social-Ecological Change. In: Rozzi, R., Pickett, S., Palmer, C., Armesto, J., Callicott, J. (eds) Linking Ecology and Ethics for a Changing World. Ecology and Ethics, vol 1. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-007-7470-4_4

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