Protect Your Shoreline With An Itasca Waters Shoreland Advisor

Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and Lake Management 

Over the past two decades, we’ve learned that the most effective way to incorporate tribal community needs and Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) into our lake management work is to support and empower tribal members to manage their own natural resources. Our approach has evolved to focus on increasing tribal representation within resource management roles. Recent initiatives include strengthened outreach to Red Lake Nation College, a tiered mentorship program, and, most recently, the development of an apprenticeship program designed to build long-term capacity within tribal communities.

Presented by Shane Bowe: Water Resource Director for the Red Lake Nation Department of Natural Resources, began working as an Aquatic Biologist for the Red Lake Nation Department of Natural Resources in 2006. In his time at Red Lake, he has worked on projects ranging from shallow lake research, to water quality monitoring and paleolimnology, to numerous nonpoint source pollution reduction projects including dam removal and stream restoration. As a nonmember managing lakes on a closed reservation, Shane has a unique perspective regarding Traditional Ecological Knowledge and the interplay between resource management and local culture and traditions.