Centring Indigenous knowledge systems to re‐imagine conservation translocations

Abstract

Conservation translocations—particularly those that weave diverse ways of knowing and seeing the world—promise to enhance species recovery and build ecosystem resilience. Yet, few studies to date have been led or co‐led by Indigenous peoples; or consider how centring Indigenous knowledge systems can lead to betterconservation translocation outcomes. In this Perspective, as Indigenous and non‐Indigenous researchers and practitioners working in partnership in Aotearoa New Zealand, we present a novel framework for co‐designing conservation translocations that centre Indigenous peoples and knowledge systems through Two‐Eyed Seeing. We apply this framework to Aotearoa New Zealand's threatened and underprioritized freshwater biodiversity. In particular, we highlight the co‐development of conservation translocations with Te Kōhaka o Tūhaitara and Te Nohoaka o Tukiauau that are weaving emerging genomic approaches into mātauraka Māori (Māori knowledge systems), including customary practices, processes and language. We envision the Two‐Eyed Seeing framework presented here will provide a critical point of reference for the co‐development of conservation translocations led or co‐led by Indigenous peoples elsewhere in the world to build more resilient biocultural heritage. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article.

Charting just futures for Aotearoa New Zealand: philosophy for and beyond the Covid-19 pandemic

“…This commitment grounds the pioneering legal protections for rivers and other natural entities, environmental co-management approaches, and our rich Māori and wider Moana Oceania socio-environmental values (Ruru 2014;Wehi, Whaanga, et al 2020). Our starting point is the web of life inclusive of biological, cultural, and linguistic diversityrecognising the rich and varied ways in which people are intimately connected to each other, with land-and seascapes, and all that is contained within them (Rayne et al 2020;Wehi, Brownstein, et al 2020). This network provides an integrated perspective of our relationships and highlights the significance of people and communities for realising justice.…”

Navigating spaces between conservation research and practice: Are we making progress?

“…Despite Indigenous communities and knowledge systems sustaining biodiversity across the world for generations, they have often been sidelined from Western models of conservation and decision‐making (Rayne et al., 2020). This is changing, with Western‐trained researchers and practitioners increasingly working to de‐centre their own Western perspectives to centre Indigenous peoples, rights, knowledge, processes, priorities, and practices instead (Lyver et al., 2019; Sterling et al., 2017; Rayne et al., 2020).…”

“…Despite Indigenous communities and knowledge systems sustaining biodiversity across the world for generations, they have often been sidelined from Western models of conservation and decision‐making (Rayne et al., 2020). This is changing, with Western‐trained researchers and practitioners increasingly working to de‐centre their own Western perspectives to centre Indigenous peoples, rights, knowledge, processes, priorities, and practices instead (Lyver et al., 2019; Sterling et al., 2017; Rayne et al., 2020). For example, one workshop participant noted how their Aotearoa New Zealand‐based research group worked in partnership with Māori (Indigenous peoples of Aotearoa New Zealand) iwi (tribes) and hapū (subtribes) to co‐develop projects integrating local knowledge and conservation genomics to address specific questions and priorities (Collier‐Robinson, Rayne, Rupene, Thoms, & Steeves, 2019; Rayne et al., 2020).…”

“…However, such an approach is still not the norm and far more needs to be done. Indigenous‐led and co‐led approaches developed through authentic partnerships and investment are critical (Ataria et al., 2018; Rauika Māngai, 2020; Rayne et al., 2020; Sterling et al., 2017; Wehi, Beggs, & McAllister, 2019).…”

Teaching science concepts relevant to climate change without getting lost in the complexity

“…For example NIWA and the Maniapoto Māori Trust Board have collaboratively developed a framework for monitoring the health of fresh water systems. It was published in August 2020.4 As another example, Rayne et al (2020) give an interesting account of how they brought both knowledge systems together to address the tricky conservation issue of species translocation. This is just a very brief taste of a huge topic.…”