ABSTRACT
This chapter focuses on what may be achieved through taking up the complex exploration of nature, land, and sustainability and is a growing field of inquiry in both science and social science, particularly for those who are interested in the local environment. Meanings of nature, land, and sustainability have been either misunderstood or misrepresented within disciplinary boundaries in many Indigenous communities. To explore the meanings of things such as nature, land, and sustainability in these communities, we as researchers must first acknowledge the spirituality and local experiences that connect one actor with other actors. A relational ontology is the conceptual framework within which I suggest meanings for traditional land, nature, and sustainability, such as traditional experiences, culture, and customs that are important issues for Indigenous lives and the environment. This framework may potentially guide the researcher through the critical concerns of identifying the problems of existing land, nature, and sustainability management in relation to the everyday land-based practices and traditional experiences in Indigenous regions.
