Date of Award
2025
Document Type
Open Access Dissertation
Degree Name
Doctor of Philosophy in Forest Science (PhD)
Administrative Home Department
College of Forest Resources and Environmental Science
Advisor 1
Valoree S. Gagnon
Advisor 2
Chelsea Schelly
Committee Member 1
Erika Vye
Committee Member 2
Tara L. Bal
Abstract
This dissertation addresses critical gaps in how environmental science and policy engage with Indigenous knowledges that hinder just and sustainable environmental futures. Through a multi-year partnership with the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community (KBIC), this research tackles a literature gap on applying Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) to forest restoration, an experiential gap in understanding differential climate impacts, and a governance gap perpetuated by colonial metrics that devalue relational ecosystem health.
A multi-method approach systematically addresses these gaps. First, a literature review confirms TEK's application in restoration is under-researched and often extractive. Second, a comparative survey of 232 Tribal and non-Tribal community members provides empirical evidence that climate change disproportionately harms culturally vital Indigenous forest practices, such as gathering medicines and ceremonial materials. Third, a qualitative case study of the KBIC fish hatchery illustrates a living model of relational stewardship guided by reciprocity and seven-generation thinking. Finally, this work proposes the Nature Quotient (NQ) Index, a novel framework to decolonize environmental metrics by valuing cultural connections alongside ecological health.
Integrating these findings, this dissertation demonstrates that climate vulnerability is mediated by cultural relationships and argues for a paradigm shift from managing resources to nurturing relationships. The research provides theoretical, empirical, and practical insights for an environmental governance that honors Indigenous sovereignty, integrates diverse knowledge systems, and fosters just, sustainable human-nature relationships.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Recommended Citation
Thi Mai Anh, Tran, "BRIDGING INDIGENOUS AND WESTERN KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS: CENTERING OJIBWE PERSPECTIVES FOR JUST FOREST-CLIMATE FUTURES", Open Access Dissertation, Michigan Technological University, 2025.