Perspectives of Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Do You Know What You Know?

At the onset of this research, it was anticipated it would assist in the development of a framework for integrating TEK with Western Scientific Knowledge; that objective was not attained. Upon completion of this study the author concludes that when it comes to defining TEK there are almost as many definitions and approaches put forward as there are researchers working on this topic. Furthermore, the author concludes that the application of a Western reductionist approach for TEK does not work. The fact is that TEK is so much a part of First Nation culture that it is just part of their everyday lives; aboriginal people never really stop to think about what TEK is, TEK is just what aboriginal people do. However, the analysis produced here should be especially useful to professionals and anyone working in the field of TEK seeking to gain a better understanding of the complexity of this area of research.