"Kootenai Traditional Ecological Knowledge" (document)

Kootenai Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is the deep understanding and lived experience of the Kootenai people regarding their natural environment. It encompasses insights about local ecosystems, wildlife habits, plant uses, and landscape changes, developed over generations through observation, participation, and cultural practices. TEK guides sustainable resource management and conservation efforts, ensuring the health of the land for future generations. Recognizing TEK alongside scientific methods fosters more effective, culturally respectful environmental stewardship rooted in the Kootenai community’s long-standing relationship with their environment.