Water Worlds is a television documentary series that takes viewers on an exploration of our planet’s waterways through an Indigenous lens. It exposes threats facing our fragile aquatic ecosystems, while introducing the people, communities, and organizations working to protect them.

At the heart of these collaborations is a concept called Two-Eyed Seeing

It’s a term popularized by Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall, who used the word Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing, to describe what happens when we bring modern scientific thought and traditional Indigenous knowledge together in a new way of understanding.

The idea of Two-Eyed Seeing is simple. With one eye, we view the world through Indigenous ways of knowing and with the other eye, we view the world through Western scientific ways of knowing.

Indigenous ways of knowing
This encompasses the traditional knowledge, practices, and philosophies that have been passed down through generations in Indigenous communities. It is often rooted in a deep connection with nature, a profound understanding of ecosystems, and a spiritual relationship with the land.
Western scientific ways of knowing
This refers to the scientific methods, theories, and approaches developed in Western societies to understand the natural world. It involves empirical observation, experimentation, and data analysis.
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Putting these ways of knowing together can produce amazing results we can use to guide our future.

Two-Eyed Seeing encourages the realization that beneficial outcomes are much more likely in any given situation when we are willing to bring two or more perspectives into play.

Elder Albert Marshall

Integration and Collaboration

Rather than seeing Indigenous knowledge and Western science as separate and conflicting, the concept of Two-Eyed Seeing promotes the idea of integrating these two knowledge systems.

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It encourages the blending of ideas, to have us look through both eyes at the same time, and recognizes that both ways of knowing offer unique insights that, when combined, provide a more comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the world.

It encourages collaboration between Indigenous knowledge holders and Western scientists, recognizing the value of both perspectives.

It encourages collaboration between Indigenous knowledge holders and Western scientists, recognizing the value of both perspectives.

Mutual Respect

Two-Eyed Seeing emphasizes the importance of respecting and valuing both knowledge systems equally. This means avoiding the tendency to dismiss or overlook Indigenous knowledge in favor of Western science or vice versa.

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In a world dominated by science, Two-Eyed Seeing allows us to respect and value Indigenous knowledge, traditions, and ways of understanding nature and the cosmos.

Two-Eyed Seeing acknowledges that Indigenous peoples possess a deep and intimate knowledge of their lands, ecosystems, and traditional practices. A knowledge that is often passed down through generations and is closely tied to a spiritual and cultural connection with the environment.

It is an approach that recognizes the strengths and limitations of each worldview and aims to create a bridge between them, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

Two-Eyed Seeing acknowledges that Indigenous peoples possess a deep and intimate knowledge of their lands, ecosystems, and traditional practices. A knowledge that is often passed down through generations and is closely tied to a spiritual and cultural connection with the environment.

It is an approach that recognizes the strengths and limitations of each worldview and aims to create a bridge between them, fostering mutual respect and understanding.

Problem Solving

Indigenous communities often face unique challenges related to cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and social issues. By incorporating Two-Eyed Seeing, it is believed that more effective and culturally sensitive solutions can be developed to address these challenges.

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Images courtesy of BC Archives. I-11344, a-04233, D-06402, B-01717, I-29077, I-16757

When we integrate Indigenous wisdom with Western scientific knowledge it enhances our collective ability to address complex issues such as environmental sustainability, cultural preservation, and community well-being. It promotes a more inclusive and holistic approach to problem-solving, acknowledging the value of diverse ways of understanding and interacting with the world.

The concept of Two-Eyed Seeing has gained recognition and support in various fields, such as environmental studies, education, and cultural preservation. It serves as a reminder of the importance of cultural diversity and the potential for different knowledge systems to complement each other in our ongoing quest to understand and protect the world we live in.

We are all Connected. We need to solve our problems together and leave the world a better place.