Two-Eyed Seeing: Developing perspective and wisdom on sea lamprey in the Laurentian Great Lakes

Abstract

Bridging knowledge systems is a potential means of equitably and collaboratively working towards improved conservation and management of aquatic ecosystems, such as the management of invasive species. Etuaptmumk (Two-Eyed Seeing) is a Mi’kmaw framework that encourages the bridging of Indigenous and Western knowledge systems to work together in parallel on a shared issue or problem. Invasive species pose a significant threat to aquatic ecosystems, and they are disrupting fisheries and entire lake ecosystems within the Laurentian Great Lakes. Sea lamprey (Petromyzon marinus) are one example of an invasive species in these Great Lakes with an established control program. Sea lamprey management faces many challenges including possible declining social acceptance of control programs, especially amongst Indigenous communities in the region. Such challenges illustrate the need for sea lamprey management to be resilient, sustainable, and reflective of the knowledges and needs of the people across the Laurentian Great Lakes. We argue that applying the guidance offered by Two-Eyed Seeing to sea lamprey management could help uphold Indigenous rights and knowledges in resource management and be an important step towards remedying the historical and contemporary exclusion of Indigenous Nations in decision-making concerning the Laurentian Great Lakes fisheries. Specifically, we explore why Two-Eyed Seeing should be applied and how it can guide non-Indigenous government agencies and fisheries organizations across the Laurentian Great Lakes region to expand and deepen their partnerships with Indigenous Nations for more equitable decision-making while enhancing the collective state of knowledge in the interests of re-envisioning and enhancing sea lamprey control.