Session Description
Traditional Knowledge (TK) is increasingly recognized as a best practice in environmental assessment (EA), particularly for mining projects in or near Indigenous territories. TK offers critical insights into environmental change, cultural values, cumulative effects, and long-term stewardship, complementing scientific information and strengthening assessment outcomes. However, a key challenge remains: how can EA processes move beyond consultation to meaningfully incorporate TK in ways that respect Indigenous rights, knowledge systems, and community priorities?
Aligned with the IAIA27 theme, Ka mua, ka muri, this paper session will showcase international examples demonstrating how Indigenous knowledge systems and traditional practices can improve impact assessment in the mining sector.
Presenters will share case studies highlighting approaches for integrating TK throughout the assessment lifecycle, from project planning and baseline studies to impact prediction, mitigation design, monitoring, and adaptive management. Papers will explore methods for bringing multiple knowledge systems together while respecting knowledge ownership, governance structures, and cultural protocols.
We will examine factors contributing to success, including early engagement, Indigenous-led research, community-based monitoring, collaborative study design, and co-development of mitigation measures. Bringing together Indigenous leaders, researchers, regulators, consultants, and industry representatives, the session will highlight emerging practices that contribute to environmentally sustainable, culturally respectful, and socially meaningful outcomes.
Session Summary
Embodying the conference theme of Ka mua, Ka muri: Inclusion of Traditional Knowledge is a best practice in modern environmental assessments; using examples from around the world, we will explore the successes in including TK in environmental assessments for mining projects.
Session Chair
Jamie Quesnel
Agnico Eagle
Canada
Session Co-chair
Manon Turmel
Agnico Eagle
Canada