How Indigenous and Local Knowledge Develop

Throughout the world, Indigenous and traditional peoples have developed and maintained systems of knowledge and practice, based on their local institutions and guided by their values, beliefs, and worldviews. These Indigenous and local knowledge (ILK) systems include ways of relating to, caring for, and tending the species and environments on which they depend for their livelihoods and well-being. Over extended time, this has resulted in the development of food production systems based on hunting and gathering, fishing, herding, and agroecology/agriculture. Food production and other stewardship activities depend on a great deal of knowledge of the environment. However, there are no commonly accepted theories how this knowledge develops and leads to the evolution of Indigenous and local stewardship systems.