The Decline in Importance of Indigenous Knowledge

	Mass/Popular Culture The communication of traditional knowledge is hampered today by competition from European-derived cultures that captures the imagination of the young. They are bombarded by technology that teaches them non-indigenous ways, and limits the capacity of the elders to pass on traditional knowledge to the young.
	The Elders pass away As the elders die, the full richness of tradition is diminished; some of it has not been passed on and so is lost. There is a danger that the knowledge will die with them because young people do not always follow traditional ways.

	Source: Adapted from Alan, R. Emery and Associates (1997) Guidelines for Environmental Assessments and Traditional Knowledge. A Report from the Centre for Traditional Knowledge of the World Council of Indigenous People, Ottawa, p. 5.