Incorporating Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into Curriculum Development

Indigenous peoples have lived in harmony with the natural world for thousands of years, developing unique ways of understanding and interacting with their surroundings. This knowledge, often passed down through oral tradition, encompasses a wide range of information about the environment, culture, and history of their communities. Since the Paris Agreement of 2015 (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change [UNFCCC], 2015), there has been growing recognition of the importance of preserving and utilising this indigenous knowledge to improve the lives of indigenous peoples and protect the planet’s natural resources. However, to fully harness the potential of this knowledge, it is essential to decolonise current practices and ensure that indigenous knowledge systems are authentically respected and treated as equal to scientific knowledge in addressing global challenges.