INDIGENOUS VIEWS
Traditional Ecological Knowledge, also called Indigenous Knowledge or Native Science (“TEK”), refers to the evolving knowledge acquired by Indigenous and local peoples and Tribal Nations based on generations of learning and direct contact with nature. This knowledge is specific to a geographical area and includes the relationships between plants, animals, natural phenomena, landscapes, and timing of events that are used for lifeways, including but not limited to hunting, fishing, trapping, agriculture, and forestry.
We seek to highlight the importance of TEK and the inherent value it places on having a relationship with, and responsibility for, the environment, including but not limited to Colorado’s landscapes that are or soon will be inhabited once again by wolves.
We recognize that the sampling of materials here represents only some of the multitude of perspectives on and beliefs about wolves held by Indigenous people and Tribal Nations. We hope that these materials will inspire people to seek additional information on their own.
Ben Nuvamsa, Hopi Bear Clan Elder and former Chairman of the Hopi Tribe, speaks of wolves.
Nolan Yellow Kidney, Blackfeet Sun Dance Leader, speaks of wolves.
Please note, clicking on the title will bring you to the external sourced website with additional information.
➤ GIC Wolf Treaty
Analogous to the “United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP)” and the principles of the “Rights of Nature & Mother Earth,” the purpose and objective of the Global Indigenous Council's Wolf Treaty is, in part, "To honor, recognize, and revitalize the ancient relationship" of Treaty signatories with the wolf. The signatories' collective intention is, in part, "to welcome the wolf to once again live beside us as Creator intended and to restore balance to Mother Earth where we are the stewards and the wolf is a protector of our lands." Signatories include Tribal/First Nations, Traditional Societies, Spiritual Leaders, representative Tribal Organizations and Respective Leaders from each generation and from the four sacred directions of Turtle Island.
➤ Ma' iingan (Wolf) Relationship Plan
The Mashkiiziibii (Bad River Band of Lake Superior Tribe of Chippewa Indians) reservation, Mashkiiziibing, is located within the Lake Superior Basin in far northern Wisconsin. In 2019, the Mashkiiziibii adopted a Ma’iingan (gray wolf) relationship plan.
The goal of the Ma’iingan relationship plan is to set a framework of guiding principles for the Mashkiiziibii to understand and coexist with Ma’iingan and to teach others to do the same. In the 2019, the plan was renamed the Ma’iingan Relationship Plan. From the Mashkiiziibii's perspective, Ma’iingan is a relative and you don’t “manage” a relative, you build a relationship with a relative.