On December 1, 2022, the administration of President Joseph Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris released new Indigenous Knowledge Guidance for Federal Agencies, and an implementation memorandum, to recognize and include the indigenous knowledge of tribal nations in research, policy, and decision making across the executive branch. Jointly issued by the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), the release of the new guidance and the implementation memorandum by the White House coincided with the final session of the Biden-Harris administration’s 2022 Tribal Nations Summit held at the Department of the Interior in Washington, D.C.
These documents result from work conducted since December 2021 by an OSTP/CEQ-led Interagency Working Group (IWG), which the Information Security Oversight Office (ISOO) joined on February 7, 2022, as the representative of the National Archives and Records Administration. This IWG included more than 25 federal departments and agencies organized into five subgroups, whose objective was to develop government-wide guidance on the recognition and inclusion of indigenous knowledge by federal agencies in consultation and engagement with tribal nations, indigenous communities, and the public. ISOO is also a member of the interagency Natural and Cultural Resources Working Group (NCRWG), which focuses on the protection of indigenous knowledge shared with the federal government.
In developing the new guidance and implementation memorandum, the OSTP/CEQ-led IWG built on the joint memorandum previously issued by OSTP and CEQ on November 15, 2021, which formally recognized the contribution of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) to federal scientific and policy processes. ITEK is a body of observations, oral and written knowledge, practices, and beliefs that promotes environmental sustainability and the responsible stewardship of natural resources through relationships between humans and environmental systems. It is applied to phenomena across biological, physical, cultural, and spiritual systems. That initial joint OSTP/CEQ memorandum on ITEK coincided with the administration’s inaugural Tribal Nations Summit, held by teleconference from the White House on November 16, 2021. For President Biden’s remarks in 2021 acknowledging the impact of Native voices across the federal government, see: Remarks by President Biden at the Tribal Nations Summit | The White House.
“In a historic move, the Biden-Harris administration releases Indigenous Knowledge Guidance for Federal Agencies, recognizing tribal wisdom in shaping policies and decisions. A crucial step towards inclusive governance.”
The release of the Indigenous Knowledge Guidance for Federal Agencies on December 1, 2022, marks a significant step by the Biden-Harris administration towards recognizing and incorporating the invaluable indigenous knowledge of tribal nations. This guidance, a result of collaborative efforts since December 2021, reflects a commitment to inclusivity and consultation with tribal nations, indigenous communities, and the public. The emphasis on Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) underscores its crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability and responsible stewardship. This initiative aligns with the administration’s broader acknowledgment of Native voices, contributing to a more informed and inclusive decision-making process across federal agencies.
The release of the Indigenous Knowledge Guidance for Federal Agencies by the Biden-Harris administration is a commendable step toward recognizing and incorporating the invaluable indigenous knowledge of tribal nations. This initiative, accompanied by an implementation memorandum, signifies a commitment to inclusivity in research, policy, and decision-making within the executive branch. The collaborative effort involving multiple federal departments and agencies, guided by the OSTP/CEQ-led Interagency Working Group, reflects a comprehensive approach. The acknowledgment of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) emphasizes its crucial role in promoting environmental sustainability. This proactive stance aligns with the administration’s dedication to honoring Native voices and fostering responsible stewardship. Kudos to this initiative for enhancing the integration of indigenous perspectives in federal processes.
The Biden-Harris administration’s release of Indigenous Knowledge Guidance for Federal Agencies is a commendable step towards incorporating valuable tribal knowledge. This inclusive initiative, guided by an implementation memorandum, reflects a commitment to diverse perspectives in federal processes. Kudos to promoting Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge for environmental sustainability and responsible stewardship.
The Biden-Harris administration’s Indigenous Knowledge Guidance is a commendable step for incorporating tribal wisdom in federal processes. This initiative promotes Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge for environmental sustainability.
The Indigenous Knowledge Guidance by the Biden-Harris administration is a commendable move towards integrating tribal wisdom into federal processes. This initiative advocates for the use of Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge to promote environmental sustainability.
The release of new Indigenous Knowledge Guidance for Federal Agencies demonstrates a commitment to integrating tribal wisdom into government decision-making. Led by the White House, these guidelines aim to honor Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge (ITEK) and promote collaboration with tribal nations.