Walking in two worlds: insights from implementing a Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in approach to bridging knowledge systems in conservation and land use planning

A collaborative approach integrating Indigenous and Western knowledge systems can effectively inform conservation and land use planning. The Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in First Nation in the Yukon, Canada, demonstrated that combining Indigenous land use mapping with a conservation prioritization tool called Zonation—modified to include cultural values and subsistence areas—enhances decision-making while respecting both knowledge systems independently. This 'walking in two worlds' method addresses historical imbalances where Western science dominated, offering a model for equitable partnerships. Challenges and successes from this process provide valuable insights for future land planning involving Indigenous authorities.

Mantyka-Pringle, C., Beaumont, J., Clarke, C., Ayoub, N., Kortsalo, P., Saal, S., Fraser, K., Staples, K., & Hwëch’in, T. (2025). Walking in two worlds: insights from implementing a Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in approach to bridging knowledge systems in conservation and land use planning. Ecology and Society, 30(2). https://doi.org/10.5751/es-15753-300222