Using traditional knowledge within the department helps inform employees, partners, collaborators, and volunteers to better understand the connection of living in and managing the resources around us. If you have greater interest in learning about the Anishinaabe culture, please visit our FOR THE COMMUNITY page.

The United States Guidance for Federal Departments and Agencies on Indigenous Knowledge defines Indigenous Knowledge as the body of observations, oral and written knowledge, innovations, practices, and beliefs developed by Tribes and Indigenous People through interaction and experience with the environment.

The National Park Service defines Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) as the on-going accumulation of knowledge, practice and belief about relationships between living beings in a specific ecosystem that is acquired by indigenous people over hundreds or thousands of years through direct contact with the environment, handed down through generations, and use for life sustaining ways.

We’ve created a RESOURCE page for anyone interested in gaining a deeper understanding of the programs and projects the department is involved with.