USE OF TRADITIONAL ECOLOGICAL KNOWLEDGE IN ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT OF URANIUM MINING IN THE ATHABASCA SASKATCHEWAN

摘要

Use of traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) is now a requirement of many environmental review panels. It was in the remit for the investigation into uranium mining in northern Saskatchewanbut there was a mismatch between the narrow, often technical , treatment of TEK and the broader ,more cultural comments of the Dene Aboriginal intervenors. It is essential to recognize when a development proposal's planning needs and social issues exceed the scope of environmental assessment (EA).TEK can relate to EA on three levels: detailed information from local people on the environment and wildlife ;gaining insight into socio-cultural effects of a project ;and changes to a landscape or a people's relationship with it that may threaten their deep identification with their environment. The last may not be a part of an ordinary EA.