Bridging Knowledge Systems

Indigenous-Led Governance and Climate Policy in Alaska

Authors

  • Meagan A. Meyer University of Pittsburgh

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5195/pur.2025.141

Keywords:

Traditional Ecological Knowledge, Arctic Governance, Environmental Policy, Alaska Native Communities, Indigenous Knowledge Systems

Abstract

As climate change accelerates environmental shifts across the Arctic, the integration of Traditional Ecological Knowledge into environmental policy has become increasingly urgent. This research investigates how Traditional Ecological Knowledge is incorporated into conservation and climate governance frameworks in both Alaska and U.S. federal policy, with a comparative lens that draws on analyses of policy approaches in Finland and Sweden. While Indigenous communities have long stewarded Arctic ecosystems through holistic and intergenerational knowledge systems, their inclusion in formal decision-making remains uneven across federal, state, and Indigenous-led policies. Using a multi-method approach, combining policy analysis, case studies, cultural impact assessments, and survey, this study evaluates 20+ policy instruments across four dimensions: explicit mention of TEK, Indigenous consultation requirements, legal enforceability, and funding mechanisms. Findings reveal that Alaska demonstrates stronger integration of TEK than EU-level governance, particularly through co-management structures such as the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Alaska Wildlife Action Plan. However, gaps persist, particularly in the enforceability and funding of TEK-based initiatives. The paper argues that effective environmental governance in the Arctic must center Indigenous autonomy, knowledge sovereignty, and community-driven adaptation. By identifying best practices and persistent barriers, this research offers actionable recommendations for advancing equitable, culturally grounded environmental policy in Alaska and beyond.

References

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Published

2025-11-03

How to Cite

Meagan A. Meyer. (2025). Bridging Knowledge Systems: Indigenous-Led Governance and Climate Policy in Alaska. Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review, 4(2). https://doi.org/10.5195/pur.2025.141

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2025): Pittsburgh Undergraduate Review

Section

Research

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Copyright (c) 2025 Meagan A. Meyer

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