Indigenous Traditional Ecological & Cultural Knowledge (ITECK)

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The ITECK (Indigenous Traditional Ecological & Cultural Knowledge) undergraduate certificate is designed to provide Native and non-Native students with a concentrated, decolonized study of Indigenous ecological epistemologies and their value within a variety of contemporary contexts. In recent years, Western Science has “discovered” what Indigenous People have known since Time Immemorial and Indigenous oral histories continue to confront and correct inaccurate and incomplete historical accounts. Indigenous Ways of Knowing centers kinship and the reciprocal relationship between people and our environment. Through critical analysis of socially constructed narratives, the certificate will explore contemporary themes, such as community health, food sovereignty, Indigenous land management and practices, community development, resilience, and self-determination. 

Check out these links!

Sometimes ITECK is better shown than written, we would love to show you what we are doing, we invite you to check out the videos, podcasts and articles here for a look into the practices we implement into our lives. 

Clearing Magazine Cover

Clearing: Resources for Place Based Environmental Education in the Pacific Northwest

We would love for you to check out this Clearing Special Issue: Indigenous Perspectives and Environmental Education, Connecting Youth With Plants, Places, and Cultural Traditions where Professors Judy BlueHorse Skelton & Emma Johnson as well as community partner, Shawna Zierdt have contributed articles. 

Students on a Nature Walk

Collaboration in action!

Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA), "Indigenous Gardens and Food Justice," and the Intertribal Gathering Garden, Portland OR

By: Elizabeth M. Hoover

At Tualatin Wildlife Refuge, students are braiding down grass.

An article from our partners!

Healing the Soul Healing the Land: Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge Helps Reshape a Community

By: Dana Bivens

Photo by: Kim Strassburg/USFWS


From our ITECK Courses and Events

Emma Johnson - Willow Dome Building at the PSU Oak Savanna

Emma Johnson leading Willow Dome building in Fall 2022

 

Students tending on the PSU Oak Savanna

Students tend the native plant relative micro prairies in Spring 2023

Donate to ITECK through The PSU Foundation: