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Dr. Cristina Eisenberg discusses Two-Eyed Seeing approach to forest management; YourForest podcast explores Indigenous and Western knowledge integration for climate resilience

October 17, 2024 (press release) –

In this episode of YourForest podcast, host Matthew Kristoff engages with Dr. Cristina Eisenberg to explore the powerful concept of "Two-Eyed Seeing". Dr. Cristina Eisenberg is an Associate Dean at Oregon State University, specializing in tribal initiatives and climate resilience. As a community ecologist with Māori and Western Apache heritage, she combines Indigenous and Western knowledge to address environmental challenges.

Dr. Eisenberg shares her experiences and insights from the report "Braiding Indigenous and Western Knowledge for Climate Adapted Forests" or ”Braiding Sweetgrass Report” which she co-authored. Here are the 5 Key Recommendations of the “Braiding Sweetgrass Report” from Dr. Eisenberg’s experience:

  • Adopt proactive stewardship.

  • Recognize and respect Tribal Sovereignty and Indigenous Knowledge.

  • Provide the flexibility to steward dynamic landscapes and navigate uncertainties under rapidly changing conditions.

  • Ground agency planning, and land and resource stewardship policies in ethics of reciprocity and responsibility to many future human generations.

  • Catalyze innovative approaches to forest stewardship.

The discussion delves into climate change, forest stewardship, and how Indigenous ecological practices can help create the future of sustainable forest stewardship.

Dr. Eisenberg and Matthew dive into the concept of "Two-Eyed Seeing" and how it can reshape forest stewardship. They discuss the importance of cultural burning, proactive management, and Indigenous sovereignty, all of which are central to creating climate-resilient landscapes. The episode highlights the benefits of using both Indigenous ecological practices and modern environmental strategies to steward the land for future generations.

Key Takeaways:

  • Two-Eyed Seeing: This concept involves viewing the world through both Western science and Indigenous knowledge, leading to more holistic and effective forest management strategies.

  • Proactive Stewardship: Dr. Eisenberg emphasizes the need for proactive, place-based stewardship that prioritizes forest resilience, especially in the face of climate change.

  • Reciprocity with Nature: Indigenous ecological practices are based on reciprocity, where humans take from nature mindfully and give back to maintain balance.

  • Recognizing and Respecting Sovereignty: It is crucial to respect tribal sovereignty and involve Indigenous communities in decision-making processes for forest management.

  • Healing from Past Harms: Acknowledging historical trauma caused by colonization and implementing Indigenous-led approaches to restore ecosystems.

    Resources:

    Braiding Sweetgrass Report

    The Wise Path Forward

    Sponsors

    West Fraser

    GreenLink Forestry Inc.

    Quotes:

  • [00:27:00] Dr. Cristina Eisenberg: "Two-eyed seeing, where Indigenous knowledge and Western science are integrated to provide a holistic view of environmental stewardship, allowing for a more complete understanding of the natural world."

  • [01:13:41] Dr. Cristina Eisenberg: "We did damage to these forests without realizing it. You know, settlers did in multiple ways"

  • [00:19:08] Dr. Cristina Eisenberg: "Reciprocity means that the forest is here to take care of us, but we have a huge responsibility to take care of the forest. And that means we take what we need, and we give back more to the forest."


    Takeaways

    (00:00:15) The Importance of Fire in Indigenous Stewardship 

    Dr. Eisenberg emphasizes the importance of fire as a tool in Indigenous cultural practices to maintain soil health and the overall ecosystem. She discusses how the suppression of cultural burning has caused unintended damage to forest systems.

    (00:18:57) Reciprocity: The Foundation of Indigenous Practices 

    In Indigenous cultures, reciprocity is a core value. Dr. Eisenberg explains that reciprocity involves giving back more to nature than what is taken, ensuring a balanced, sustainable relationship with the environment.

    (00:26:53) Two-Eyed Seeing: A Holistic Approach to Knowledge 

    Dr. Eisenberg introduces the concept of two-eyed seeing, where Indigenous knowledge and Western science are integrated to provide a holistic view of environmental stewardship, allowing for a more complete understanding of the natural world.

    (00:30:46) The Role of Elders and Tribal Knowledge in Stewardship 

    Dr. Eisenberg emphasizes the importance of integrating tribal elders’ knowledge with Western science. Elders possess ancestral wisdom about forest ecosystems, which, when combined with scientific methods, can lead to more effective land stewardship.

    (00:36:28) Proactive Stewardship vs. Reactive Management 

    Dr. Eisenberg critiques the reactive approach to forest management, where action is only taken after a crisis, advocating instead for proactive stewardship that anticipates environmental challenges and takes preventive measures.

    (00:54:27) Acknowledging Indigenous Sovereignty in Land Management 

    Dr. Eisenberg points out that while Indigenous sovereignty is recognized by law, the true respect and inclusion of Indigenous practices in forest management are often lacking. She calls for greater respect and collaboration with Indigenous communities.

    (01:00:18) Historical Trauma and Forest Stewardship 

    Dr. Eisenberg addresses the intergenerational trauma resulting from colonization, forced assimilation, and the exploitation of Indigenous lands. This historical trauma still impacts Indigenous communities and their relationship with land stewardship today.

    (01:15:47) Cultural Burning and Ecosystem Health 

    Dr. Eisenberg highlights the importance of cultural burning, explaining that these burns are done based on the ecosystem's needs, rather than rigid governmental regulations, which often miss the right timing for ecological health.

    (01:22:31) The Future of Forest Stewardship: Learning by Doing (01:22:31)

    Dr. Eisenberg discusses how Indigenous practices involve a dynamic, adaptive approach to forest management, where outcomes are continually measured and adjusted. This flexible, hands-on method is essential for responding to rapidly changing environmental conditions.


    If you liked this podcast, please check out our YouTube channel, also rate and review it, share it on Instagram and Twitter tag a friend, and send your feedback and comments to yourforestpodcast@gmail.com.




ARTICLE


Forest stewardship is crucial in the age of climate change. Western science often leads the conversation about forest management, using data and models to guide decisions.

However, Indigenous communities have long practiced sustainable forest care, offering a different approach. Combining these two systems can create a more complete way to restore and conserve forests.

Dr. Cristina Eisenberg plays a key role in this effort. As the Associate Dean for Inclusive Excellence at Oregon State University's College of Forestry, she leads projects that blend Indigenous knowledge with Western science.

Dr. Cristina is a Native American and Latinx ecologist. She works with Tribal Nations on forest restoration. She is also a member of the Adaptive Forest Stewardship team. Her work focuses on fire ecology, wildlife ecology, and the use of cultural knowledge to restore ecosystems.

In this article, we will look at the value of using both Indigenous and Western approaches. We will explore the key themes of forest resilience,

Moreover, we will learn about the role of traditional practices like cultural burning and how these methods can help tackle climate change. Understanding this can improve forest health and create sustainable solutions for future generations.

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