Home Department forces employees to use ‘indigenous knowledge’ with new handbook

Interior Department officials are pushing to finalize a new “implementation handbook” to guide agency decision makers on how to “apply indigenous knowledge” to their daily work.

The concept of “indigenous knowledge” posits that indigenous groups have an understanding of the natural world that others do not because of their ethnic background.

Department of the Interior New Handbook Supplements A departmental manual chapter was added last year, Entitled “Departmental Responsibilities for Consideration and Inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge in Department Operations and Scientific Research, 301 DM 7.”

A new chapter in the agency’s broad handbook aims to “promote the inclusion of indigenous knowledge equally,” but this new supplement handbook describes ways to “apply” indigenous knowledge to departmental practices, such as scientific research, environmental compliance, and more. The work of , community resilience and more.

“This handbook is not a step-by-step guide,” Describes a draft version of the handbook. “Instead, it includes context, perspectives, and ways to engage with references to a variety of existing resources where employees can learn more about a specific topic. The goal is to provide employees with knowledge be grounded so that they can each create an individual process. The situation is created in a respectful, equitable and lasting way.”

The U.S. Department of the Interior will allocate more than $120 million to tribes to address climate-related threats

One approach outlined in the handbook directs employees to seek out indigenous “knowledge holders” to complement their scientific research, including ensuring that sufficient indigenous knowledge is adequately considered. Time is allocated and any “knowledge holders” are to be compensated for their participation. The guide also urges hiring managers to consider hiring these local academics.

When it comes to scientific research, some laws require consideration of scientific information, methods and methods. However, the handbook notes that in some cases these laws allow for the incorporation of indigenous knowledge.

“In these cases,” the handbook posts, “bureaus and offices should be included. [indigenous knowledge] as an aspect of the best available science when it is generally accepted as authentic by the natives who hold it.”

Biden apologizes for federal Indian boarding schools: ‘one of the most horrific chapters in American history’

The nearly 150-page handbook includes a set of other “methodologies” for implementing indigenous knowledge into agency practices, including how to create “an ethical space for acquiring indigenous knowledge” and “sensitive “Includes information on how to protect indigenous knowledge from public disclosure. Laws

“President Biden came to office emphasizing scientific integrity and creating new rules to ensure that government scientific findings are never ‘distorted or influenced by political considerations.’ Intentionally, equating indigenous knowledge with results obtained through the rigorous application of the scientific method opens a Pandora’s box whereby desired results, even if at odds with reality, can be imposed for political purposes,” Michael Conservancy. Chamberlain, director of the nonprofit Protect the Public Trust, told Fox News Digital.

Chamberlain and his nonprofit explored how the Biden administration has implemented indigenous knowledge in the federal government, including through the use of public disclosure laws.

“We have already seen. [indigenous knowledge] In action, the Department of the Interior elevated indigenous knowledge that supported its position on indigenous knowledge that was not there in canceling oil and gas leases in Alaska.” Chamberlain pointed out. “The reality is that the administration Finding ways to exempt local knowledge from FOIA increases the potential for abuse.”

Biden-Harris border policies wreak havoc on indigenous tribe, expert says: ‘Pushed aside and destroyed’

Interior Department officials declined to comment on the record for this story.

In 2022, the Biden administration’s Office of Science and Technology Policy unveiled federal guidance on the use of indigenous knowledge in various sectors of government. A “practical memorandum” was also included with the guidance. The White House saidwork to “value and, as appropriate, respectfully incorporate indigenous knowledge” to “enable the best scientific and policy decisions”.

On the sidelines of the 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) in Baku, Acting Deputy Secretary of the Interior Laura Daniel Davis Underscored the agency’s commitment to incorporating local knowledge. And noted that the agency will hold consultations with tribal leaders and other local knowledge holders in December to help finalize the handbook’s details before formally releasing it.

Click here to get the Fox News app.

President-elect Trump nominated Gov. Doug Burgum, Republican of North Dakota, to be the next head of the U.S. Department of the Interior, which oversees public lands and minerals, national parks, wildlife refuges and any federally recognized Native American tribes nationwide. Manages responsibilities.