Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous Knowledges (IK)

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous Knowledges (IK) are related but distinct terms. Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK): TEK usually refers specifically to the accumulated ecological knowledge, practices, and beliefs developed by Indigenous communities through generations of close interactions and careful observations of the natural world. It is deeply place-based, holistic, adaptive, and integrates spiritual, ethical, and practical understandings. Key Features of TEK: Example of TEK … Continue reading Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Indigenous Knowledges (IK)

Nipmucs and Pocumtucks

Quinnitukqut means “long river” in our language. I think about our relatives, the Pocumtuck People, often. The mid-section of the Connecticut River Valley was full of life when they lived within it. I think about how the Pocumtuck and the Agawam and the Nonotuck and all their family are no more. They were murdered. They were stolen. They were driven out. All these communities had … Continue reading Nipmucs and Pocumtucks

A Not-So-Gentle Reminder

For centuries, Europeans and Euro-Americans have wielded legal mechanisms to exert control over Indigenous territories in Massachusetts. These laws were instrumental in stripping the Nipmuc people of all but 3.5 acres of their ancestral lands. The year 1627 marked the onset of colonial dominance over the natural “resources” of present-day Massachusetts. By the 1950s, the implementation of conservation laws and regulations commenced in response to … Continue reading A Not-So-Gentle Reminder

My Small Piece

There is a fabulous exhibit at Mystic Seaport in Connecticut that tells the story of the sea from the viewpoints of Black and Indigenous peoples. It is called Entwined: Freedom, Sovereignty, and the Sea and you have to go see it. Below is my piece from the exhibit catalog- Telling It Like It Is (and Was) For centuries, others have told our stories in ways … Continue reading My Small Piece

Our Nipmuc Future

Land-back and rematriation hold the potential to shape a transformative and equitable future, not only for our Nipmuc community but for all peoples. The long-term impact extends beyond the return of specific territories, reaching into broader realms of justice, sustainability, climate change, and cultural revitalization. Potential long-term impacts of land-back and rematriation include: The potential long-term impact of land-back and rematriation movements is crazy-real, reaching … Continue reading Our Nipmuc Future

The Economic Impact of Rematriation

Land-back and rematriation efforts have significant economic implications, offering Indigenous communities opportunities for sustainable resource management, ecotourism, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Returning land to Indigenous communities can contribute to economic empowerment, job creation, and the development of Indigenous-led businesses. Here are some key aspects of the economic implications of land-return initiatives: Admittedly, I have not warmed to the idea of co-management of land … Continue reading The Economic Impact of Rematriation

Rematriation and Environmental Justice

The environmental justice aspect of land-back and rematriation is closely tied to the Indigenous peoples’ historical and contemporary role as stewards of the land. Indigenous-centered land stewardship practices emphasize sustainability, ecological conservation, and biodiversity preservation. The deep knowledge that Indigenous communities possess about their environments positions them as key contributors to addressing pressing environmental challenges. Indigenous land stewardship is often rooted in a profound understanding … Continue reading Rematriation and Environmental Justice