Repository of the Athabasca River Basin

Abstract:
Use of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is now a requirement of many environmental review panels. It was in the remit for investigation into uranium mining in northern Saskatchewan, but there was a mismatch between the narrow, often technical treatment of TEK and the broader, more cultural comments of the Dene Aboriginal intervenors. It is essential to recognize when a development proposal's planning needs and social issues exceed the scope of environmental assessment (EA). TEK can relate to EA on three levels; detailed information from local people on the environment and wildlife; gaining insight in to socio-cultural effects of a project; and changes to a landscape or a people's relationship with it that may threaten deep identification with their environment. The last may not be a part of an ordinary EA.

Citation:

Wiles, A., McEwen J., & Sadar H. M. (1999). Use of traditional ecological knowledge in environmental assessment of uranium mining in Saskatchewan. 17 ( 2 ), 107-114 . Abstract

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Use of traditional ecological knowledge in environmental assessment of uranium mining in the Athabasca Saskatchewan

Author(s): Wiles, A., McEwen J., & Sadar H. M.

Year: 1999

Abstract:
Use of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is now a requirement of many environmental review panels. It was in the remit for the investigation into uranium mining in northern Saskatchewan, but there was a mismatch between the narrow, often technical, treatment of TEK and the broader, more cultural comments of the Dene Aboriginal intervenors. It is essential to recognize when a development proposal's planning needs and social issues exceed the scope of environmental assessment (EA). TEK can relate to EA on three levels: detailed information from localpeople on the environment and wildlife; gaining insight in to socio-cultural effects of a project; and changes to a landscape or a people's relationship with it that may threaten their deep identification with their environment. The last may not be a part of an ordinary EA.

Citation:

Wiles, A., McEwen J., & Sadar H. M. (1999). Use of traditional ecological knowledge in environmental assessment of uranium mining in the Athabasca Saskatchewan. 17(2), 107-114. Abstract