Two-Eyed Seeing as a way to decolonize western science

There’s a way to understand nature through the perspectives of indigenous knowledge and western science side by side. It’s a concept known as “two-eyed seeing.”

"Etuaptmumk" or two-eyed seeing is a term first used by Mi’kmaw elder Dr. Albert Marshall. It is a way to understand wildlife and nature from the perspective of both western science and indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge refers to understanding and skills built up by a group of people through generations of living closely with nature.

"It's this principle of learning to see from one eye with the strength of Indigenous knowledges and ways of knowing and from the other eye with the strength of western knowledges and ways of knowing, and learning to use both of these eyes together for the benefit of all," said Dr. Andrea Reid, who leads the Centre for Indigenous Fisheries at the University of British Columbia.