What does stewardship mean? For TRACKS, it begins with tackling increasingly complex environmental challenges with a better understanding of culture. A hands-on outdoor education program, TRACKS is a global leader in helping bridge cultural divides by providing Indigenous and non-Indigenous youth with learning experiences at the intersection of traditional knowledge and western sciences. TRACKS is based out of the Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences Program of Trent University and supported by First People’s House of Learning. The training being provided to high school students of all cultural backgrounds is helping propel a new wave of STEM students who, they hope, will bring a two-eyed approach to the workforce.
What is a two-eyed approach and why does TRACKS believe it’s the key to good stewardship? Great question. But before we get to the answer, let’s start at the beginning: what is traditional knowledge? We asked Indigenous knowledge advocate Kelly King by Skype.
What do you think?
- Should traditional knowledge be our model of good stewardship?
- To find solutions that will work for all peoples, do we need to bridge culture and science to be good stewards?
- Is there a risk to linking land and people, social justice and the environment, science and social science?
- What happens when different cultural approaches clash?
- Can we reconcile differing ideas and differing cultural perspectives?
- How will you define the word stewardship?
More on TRACKS
Read articles about TRACKS: TRACKS Youth Program Carving Path for Innovative Environmental Education, Award led to $25K grant for Peterborough’s TRACKS
Favourite Book: Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Favourite Documentary: Earth: Seen From the Heart
Favourite Program: We love the Youth Leadership in Sustainability (YLS) program based here in Peterborough and have worked with them over the last couple of years, delivering some programs for them. It’s an incredible high school programs that supports youth with their learning about the environment and how to be future leaders in this work.