Indigenous Traditional Ecological and Cultural Knowledge Undergraduate Certificate
The ITECK (Indigenous Traditional Ecological & Cultural Knowledge) undergraduate certificate is designed to provide Native and non-Native students with a concentrated decolonized study of Indigenous ecological epistemologies and practices, and their value within a variety of contexts and careers.
Currently the only program of its kind, the ITECK certificate is unique in that it:
- is appropriate for degree- or non-degree seeking undergraduates, postbacs and working professionals,
- provides rich hands-on experience and opportunities to learn from the land and ITECK practitioners,
- has a strong focus on reclaiming urban landscapes for food, medicine, ceremony and healthy lifeways,
- develops self-determination, career imagination and employment connections,
- develops students’ ability to apply both Indigenous and western scientific perspectives,
- provides opportunities to build relationships with peers and multiple nonprofits and agency partners, and
- supports recognition and development of cultural strengths, and supports non-Native students in becoming good accomplices in Land Back and related decolonizing efforts.
Western science has repeatedly “discovered” what Indigenous People have known since time immemorial and Indigenous oral histories continue to confront and correct inaccurate and incomplete historical accounts. Indigenous ways of knowing centers kinship and the reciprocal relationship between people and our environment. Through this lens, the certificate allows students to build practical skills while exploring topics such as community health, food and data sovereignty, Indigenous science and land care practices, community development, and resilience. Furthermore, it opens opportunities for building and strengthening equitable, long-term collaborative partnerships with Indigenous communities, NGO’s, and local, regional, and federal agencies, including access to internships and other activities to foster diverse professional career pathways. In addition to a mix of classroom and online instruction, students will learn in our outdoor classroom - PSU's Oak Savanna - and in the field during visits to other local sites. Courses also emphasize community-centered learning and high-impact student experiences such as collaborative opportunities with our many partners.
Central themes include understanding and practicing Seventh Generation philosophy; recognizing the role of the sacred and that all land is sacred; respecting cultural protocols and cultivating healthy relationships with the land and each other; partnering to reclaim land on behalf of regional plant and animal relatives; utilizing Indigenous cultural practices and holistic sustainability models; and deepening our knowledge and understanding through seasonal harvests, tending, cultural programming and respectful engagement with tribal, urban Native and historically marginalized communities. For information and advising, contact iteck@pdx.edu or sipathway@pdx.edu.
Note that NAS 201 is a required prerequisite for NAS 422 and NAS 424.
Core Requirements
| NAS 201 | Introduction to Native American Studies | 4 |
| NAS 342 | Indigenous Gardens and Food Justice | 4 |
| NAS 349 | Indigenous Leadership for Sustainable Futures | 4 |
| NAS 422 | First Foods of the Pacific Northwest | 4 |
| NAS 424 | Cultural Ecology: Indigenous Science and the Natural World | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 20 |
Experiential Learning Requirements
| NAS 404 | Cooperative Education/Internship | 4 |
| NAS 407 | Indigenous Ecological Healing Practices | 4 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 8 |
Total Credit Hours: 28
All courses for the certificate must be passed with a C- or Pass grade.