About the Event

Įłàà katı̀ = Few Words, Much Meaning  
(to learn more about the origin of this phrase please download the Dedication and Explanation)

Traditional knowledge has been with us forever, guiding how we make our living here in the Northwest Territories.  We noticed that a more substantial representation of elders' knowledge is needed, especially in the environmental assessment arena.  Concerned about this, we decided to approach a group of internationally-recognized knowledge experts to engage in a conversation with us about how we might change this.

To encourage decision-makers to listen to the elders, we hoped to invigorate the debate by bringing in highly-respected, international experts, and letting them lead us in a lengthy, collaborative discussion.  The result of our planning is Įłàà Katı̀: Traditional Knowledge Festival 2014.  We hope that the conversation we have during this weekend of linked events helps set a meaningful course of action for the future, helping to create a Northwest Territories where traditional knowledge holds equal status with Western knowledge.