Maasai representatives (third, fourth and fifth individuals from the right) and arcross/Tagish
First Nation member hosts (first, second and sixth individuals from the right), during a portion of the 2019 cultural tour that took place in the Yukon, Canada.
Photo credit: C. Tremblay, 2019. Identifiable individuals in this photo have given their consent for this photo to be used.

By Elicia Bell, Crystal Tremblay, Sophia Carodenuto, Bruce Downie, Phillip Dearden, Emmanuel Ole Kileli, and Sean McDougall.

Read the full paper here.

Indigenous peoples around the world have rich traditions and knowledge systems that are crucial for sustainable environmental stewardship. However, decisionmakers often overlook these practices in favor of Western approaches. Overlooking traditional Indigenous knowledge and practice leads to the degradation of ecosystems and the marginalization of Indigenous communities. Recognizing the vital contributions of Indigenous knowledge is therefore essential for effective environmental management. Our project connected Indigenous communities in Canada and Tanzania to support environmental stewardship and strengthen their governance of traditional lands and waters. Collaborating with non-Indigenous researchers, Maasai from Tanzania, and First Nations from British Columbia and the Yukon, we facilitated exchanges to share knowledge and practices in land and water management. Our work highlights that cross-cultural exchanges can foster solidarity and support Indigenous communities in their efforts to protect their environment and assert their rights.

We organized cultural tours and participatory video projects to bring together Maasai and First Nations communities. Participants engaged in discussions, shared cultural practices, and documented their experiences on video. This built mutual understanding and respect, providing a platform for learning from each other’s environmental stewardship approaches to environmental stewardship.

The exchanges revealed commonalities between the Maasai and First Nations in their struggles and strategies for protecting their lands. Participants felt increased connectedness to their cultures and empowered to act. Maasai enhanced their research capacity and knowledge mobilization skills, while First Nations were inspired by the Maasai’s resilience, strengthening their resolve to defend their land and culture.

Our project demonstrates that Indigenous knowledge-bridging can enhance environmental stewardship and empower communities. By supporting Indigenous-led research and fostering international solidarity, we can contribute to the protection of cultural and ecological landscapes. This work is crucial not only for the communities involved but also for global efforts to sustain biodiversity and combat climate change.