Garry Merkel

The new Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship is a groundbreaking undergraduate program that emphasizes the vital integration of Indigenous science into land stewardship. By fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable and respectful resource management, the program is helping pave the way for a brighter, more inclusive future for both Indigenous communities and the global landscape. Dr. Garry Merkel (nadi’ denezā), a Tahltan professional forester and the director of the Centre for Indigenous Land Stewardship at UBC Forestry, discusses his background, his work, and the vision for this innovative program. …The Bachelor of Indigenous Land Stewardship program is dedicated to exploring how earth-based or Indigenous communities translate their deeply held land ethic into practical and effective land management systems. …One of the most significant challenges in promoting Indigenous land stewardship is overcoming the pervasive perception that Indigenous approaches are mere “fairy tale folklore” rather than legitimate, evidence-based science.