Indigenous Peoples and Local Knowledge

Indigenous peoples and local knowledge holders serve as primary sources of data and information that may be of direct relevance to GEO assessments. The challenge is to identify how best to integrate the relevant aspects of traditional and indigenous knowledge into GEO. While much knowledge is shared and familiar to all, acknowledged experts or specialists who exist within most indigenous and local communities may be specific older men or women, highly skilled and respected hunters, fisherfolk or gatherers, agriculturalists, crafts persons or traditional health specialists with unique knowledge of medicinal plants. GEO participants will work with networks such as the UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII), to identify relevant Indigenous and Local Knowledge holders.