Animal/Human Relationships, Indigenous Ways of Knowing, and Species Extinction

Abstract

We humans coexist within the biosphere and live among other creatures, and thus have a duty to protect and preserve the environment. The purpose of this research is to deconstruct the human/animal relationship through biocentric and biophilic perspectives, challenging the modern Western anthropocentric view of non-humans and nature as compared to the Indigenous way of life, deeply rooted in Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Through a critical analysis of scholarly books and journals, I compare and contrast Indigenous ways of living with the western human/animal relationships, assessing the impact of our coexistence in the natural and urban environments. Well-respected and renowned scientists have long warned that the current rate of resource consumption is unsustainable and will result in an inter-generational human threats as well as threats to non-human life and peril to plants. Without an immediate change in human behaviour, we are heading towards a loss of biodiversity. This research highlights the importance of decelerating species extinction by integrating Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge with western science to inform governments, private interest groups, and the public.