“We Don’t Manage the Resources; We Manage Our Relationships”

Title: “We Don’t Manage the Resources; We Manage Our Relationships”

Speaker: Jesse Nicole Popp, University of Guelph

Abstract: As global biodiversity declines amid rapid environmental change, interdisciplinary approaches that weave together multiple ways of knowing are essential for effective conservation and sustainable forest management. Indigenous Peoples worldwide exemplify a relational worldview, emphasizing values such as responsibility, respect, and reciprocity. Our environmental caretaking inherently manages relationships—with the land, communities and nations, and future generations—rather than the land as a resource.

Ignoring Indigenous knowledge systems and place-based stewardship ethics risks confining mainstream scientific understanding of the relationships that sustain life on Earth. Indigenous perspectives fundamentally challenge and enrich the epistemic foundations of wildlife and conservation studies. Viewing wildlife as interconnected kin, engaged in ongoing relationships with each other and with humans, shifts conservation science toward values of gratitude, reciprocity, and shared responsibility. This relational approach offers a transformative pathway to reimagine co-existence—not as an aspirational goal, but as the essential condition for all life on our shared planet.

This presentation draws from interviews by the Wildlife, Indigenous Science, Ecology (WISE) Lab, with Indigenous Elders and knowledge holders to highlight key values critical for stewardship: prioritizing intergenerational knowledge transfer, fostering deep spiritual and physical connections to the land, and cultivating good relationships across communities. Indigenous perspectives offer vital insights for transitioning from fragmented, single-objective management toward more holistic approaches that encompass biodiversity, cultural integrity, and well-being of all our relations.

By showcasing case studies and practical examples, this presentation demonstrates how knowledge exchange, co-production of research, and Indigenous-led approaches can bridge the gap between science and practice. Such collaborative efforts can promote biodiversity conservation that respects cultural values, enhances cultural integrity, and supports Indigenous sovereignty.

This presentation will emphasize that fostering good relationships—rather than managing resources alone—can lead to more resilient, equitable, and effective forest stewardship that benefits all beings.