Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Learning from Elders and Traditional Lake Use- APIS | NPS NOIP18AC00295

Opportunity Information: Apply for NPS NOIP18AC00295

Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Learning from Elders and Traditional Lake Use - APIS is a discretionary National Park Service (NPS) cooperative agreement designed to support a tribally led effort to document and apply Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) connected to the Apostle Islands area in the Great Lakes. The opportunity centers on a partnership among three federally recognized Chippewa tribes in Wisconsin, the Lac du Flambeau Band, the Red Cliff Band, and the Bad River Band. The core idea is to record multi-generational oral histories and place-based knowledge from elders and other recognized knowledge holders, then use that information to strengthen both tribal cultural continuity and NPS management decisions for natural and cultural resources in and around Apostle Islands National Lakeshore.

The project is led by the Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (THPOs) of the three tribes, emphasizing tribal direction, tribal priorities, and tribal control of the materials created. Using established oral history and documentation methods, the project trains and mentors approximately 9 to 12 tribal members drawn from different age groups. These participants learn how to conduct interviews in a respectful, culturally appropriate way and how to handle documentation responsibilities such as recording, note-taking, and information stewardship. A major educational feature is youth involvement, not only in gathering TEK from elders and community leaders, but also in media production, helping students gain practical experience beyond the classroom while deepening their understanding of the Great Lakes ecosystem and their communities lived relationships with it.

A key element of the grant is that all original interview materials are curated by the tribes, reinforcing tribal data governance and long-term preservation of sensitive cultural knowledge. While the project includes public-facing sharing of results, it is structured to respect cultural boundaries: tribes may decide that certain information is sacred, sensitive, or otherwise inappropriate for public release and therefore keep it within the community or under restricted access. For information that is appropriate to share, dissemination is planned through multiple formats such as web-based projects, short video clips, community events, and technical reports, allowing the results to reach both tribal audiences and the broader public in ways that are accessible and useful.

The public purposes of the opportunity are twofold. First, it expands the overall historical and ecological record by incorporating more first-hand knowledge from elders of all three tribes, adding depth and specificity to what is known about the Apostle Islands region and its long-term human and environmental history. This richer knowledge base can improve future management by helping the NPS and partners better understand natural and cultural resources, historical uses, and ongoing tribal connections to the area. Second, it builds community capacity by training tribal members, especially younger participants, in oral history collection and documentation skills, creating a pathway for continued knowledge transmission and stewardship work in the future. In short, the grant funds a collaborative, tribally guided TEK and oral history initiative that preserves living knowledge, strengthens intergenerational learning, and directly informs park and resource management while honoring tribal authority over what is collected and what is shared.

Administrative details show the opportunity was issued by the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, under funding opportunity number NPS NOIP18AC00295, with an estimated single award up to 250,000 dollars. It falls under CFDA 15.954 and is categorized across community development, employment and training, environment, and natural resources. Eligibility was limited to federally recognized Native American tribal governments. The opportunity was created May 8, 2018, with an original closing date of May 18, 2018, reflecting a time-limited application window for a focused, partnership-based project in the Apostle Islands context.

• The Department of the Interior, National Park Service in the community development, employment, labor and training, environment, natural resources sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Learning from Elders and Traditional Lake Use- APIS" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 15.954.
• This funding opportunity was created on May 08, 2018.
• Applicants must submit their applications by May 18, 2018. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $250,000.00 in funding.
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized).

Apply for NPS NOIP18AC00295

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