Indigenous Peoples and Conservation Organizations

Signposts for the Road Ahead 143
views of the relationship between people and
nature. This information is important to understand
when talking to communities about conservation
goals.
Traditional knowledge is dynamic, not static as is
often assumed. It is modified over time as communities
interact with the external environment.
But it is also eroding rapidly around the world,
becoming stories rather than methodology—a
trend which will be a great loss for peoples’ cultural
integrity, and for conservation. Recognition
of the importance of traditional knowledge is not
only important to natural resource planning;
recovering this knowledge reinforces cultural
pride, helps communities understand how
changes in their lifestyle are affecting the
resource base, and mobilizes participation to
implement remedies.
Resource management planning is much more
effective if there is a two-way exchange of information
between biologists and indigenous groups
about natural resources and their use. Local people
have detailed knowledge about species that
are important to them, but often a more limited
understanding of the overall characteristics of the
wider ecosystem and how resource use affects it.
To benefit from each other’s knowledge, these
two groups need to find more effective ways of
communicating and understanding one another.
The Xavante project in Brazil was among the
first attempts to integrate hunters’ and biologists’
understandings of game management. In Papua
New Guinea, scientists used traditional taxonomy
to refine their own analyses and record the existence
of two new species. The Brazil and
Namibia cases show that by working with indigenous
groups to develop management plans,
Western scientists found indigenous knowledge
useful in the establishment of wildlife refuge
areas. An approach that worked in several cases
was for biologists to develop resource management
options (based on joint data collection)
from which the community made the final selection.
And because this process is grounded in
dialogue, the plan that is selected incorporates
procedures that allow for corrections as future
circumstances dictate.
Recommendations
• Invest more in understanding and incorporating
indigenous knowledge and world
views into conservation planning.
• Promote greater understanding and information
exchange between modern scientists
and indigenous peoples. Use joint
data collection and analysis, especially
mapping, as a tool for building skills and
for discussing natural resource management
issues and priorities.
1.4 Establishing Appropriate Project
Processes
The process or approach employed by a project
can either create dependence on the donor or partner
or build the community’s capacity and motivation
to sustain the activity. A key issue in
determining which outcome prevails is the project’s
time frame and pace. Activities should be
planned and implemented based on the community’s
ability to participate, so that local resources
can be mobilized and local people can take
responsibility and credit for outcomes. For example,
community decision making is often based
on consensus, which takes time to generate.
Spending time up front to build community skills
and institutions also builds a foundation for sustainability.
Short-term funding cycles and rigid
project time frames do not give the community
enough time to assess resource management
issues, gather needed information, and generate
and discuss options.
Enabling the community to play a greater role
in project implementation in areas like staffing
will also increase their “ownership” of and ability
to manage project activities. For example, in
the Xavante project the community and the conservation
organization jointly developed a list of
three candidates for a game monitoring position,
from which the community selected the finalist.
In Namibia, the project provided funds for a
biologist who was identified and managed by
the community.
Policies that expand local control over resource
decision making are another important way to
empower indigenous communities. In Namibia,
the passage of the conservancy law, which WWF
actively supported, helps the Ju/’hoan reinforce
their borders and control incursions. This, in