Healing the Land by Reclaiming an Indigenous Ecology : A Journey Exploring the Application of the Indigenous Worldview to Invasion Biology and Ecology

Using western science as the only worldview when examining complex topics of applied science limits
inquiry and understanding. The Indigenous worldview offers an opportunity to renew the way research
is done. It opens up new ways for scientists to acquire, comprehend and share knowledge, and helps
generate new approaches to solving modern challenges that western science may be ill-equipped to
handle on its own.
Common approaches to ecological restoration are rooted in colonial concepts of “nature” including
native versus non-native dichotomies and constructs of pre-human “naturalness” that disregard the
purposeful stewarding and shaping of the lands and waters by Indigenous peoples to meet the needs of
human and animal relations. While Indigenous traditional ecological knowledge is increasingly sought in
recent years, lack of understanding of its origins, the relational worldview, leaves its full potential
unrealized.
This thesis follows my journey as an Indigenous invasive species specialist as I set out to answer the
following question, "What does the application an Indigenous worldview to ecological restoration tell us
about the impacts of invasive species on Indigenous food security and food sovereignty in the context of
our changing climate?" Working with Cowichan Tribes’ staff, Elders, and other traditional knowledge
holders as co-authors, I gathered oral histories, stories, and perspectives on the related topics of
ecology, climate change, history, and food security. These histories and stories, along with relational
methods of land observation, revealed an Indigenous ecology that departs from dualistic concepts of
species belongingness and Eden-based ecological restoration goals. In response to the stories collected,
my co-authors and I formulated new terminology for land healing, and created a new framework to
guide land management decision-making reflective of an Indigenous worldview and cultural values; this
framework allows us to redefine and reclaim practice that protect food security and sovereignty for
generations to come. My journey, and this thesis, demonstrate the power of the Indigenous worldview
to illuminate new paths of scientific inquiry and expand our understanding of complex issues.