One Health, many perspectives: Exploring Indigenous and Western epistemologies

The One Health approach, which assesses the interconnectedness of animal, human, and environmental health, fails to includeand amplify Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous scientists. To effectively center Indigenous knowledge next to and withinthe One Health approach, which is historically based in Western science, the similarities and differences between Indigenousscience, specifically Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK), and One Health must be explored. The objective of this project is toidentify values in Indigenous science that are unsupported or underrepresented in Western science and then collaboratively ideaterecommendations that Western allies can take to center and support Indigenous scientists and elevate Indigenous knowledge.From January to March 2023, the study team conducted semi-structured interviews with Indigenous knowledge keepers via Zoomvideo calls. American Indian, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian (Kānaka Maoli), and other Indigenous participants from the globaldiaspora residing in the continental United States and Hawaiian Islands were recruited through social media and referrals fromIndigenous leaders who had participated in formative (phase 1) interviews completed in 2022. In those formative interviews, fourthemes emerged and called for further exploration of Indigenous perspectives on (1) the natural world, (2) cultural heritage, (3)value expression, and (4) reflection. These ideas were reframed into questions asked in subsequent (phase 2) interviews in 2023.Thematic identification methods were used to highlight key ideas throughout the interviews. Participants noted gaps betweentheir Indigenous worldviews and the One Health model, particularly relating to contrasts with Western culture, holistic expression,power in action, identity and belonging, maintaining community and cultural practices, and sharing information/education. It wasalso noted that One Health must do more than just uplift Indigenous values to support Indigenous scientists and should insteadcollaborate with TEK keepers and foster practices that are inclusive and validating of other knowledge systems. Phase 2 interviewresponses highlighted Indigenous principles that are underrepresented in One Health practice. These principles were transformedinto considerations specifically for Western-rooted scientists to improve allyship to Indigenous science and scientists. Adoptionof the considerations would strengthen partnership between One Health practitioners and Indigenous scientists and promotecollaboration across many ways of knowing.