{"id":2179663,"date":"2024-02-19T05:26:03","date_gmt":"2024-02-19T10:26:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-cited-indigenous-knowledge-as-reason-to-block-oil-and-gas-leases\/"},"modified":"2024-02-19T05:33:09","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T10:33:09","slug":"biden-admin-cited-indigenous-knowledge-as-reason-to-block-oil-and-gas-leases","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-admin-cited-indigenous-knowledge-as-reason-to-block-oil-and-gas-leases\/","title":{"rendered":"Biden administration cites &#8216;Indigenous knowledge&#8217; to halt oil and gas leases"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fbiden-admin-cited-indigenous-knowledge-as-reason-to-block-oil-and-gas-leases%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2179663&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><blockquote>\n<h2>Watchdog Files Scientific Integrity Complaint After Administration Prioritizes &#8216;Subjective Beliefs&#8217; Over \u2063&#8217;Evidence&#8217;<\/h2>\n<figure><figcaption>Interior\u200b Secretary Deb Haaland (Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/blockquote>\n<div>\n<p>When the Biden administration stepped in last year to block seven\u200b oil and \u2063gas leases in Alaska, it said it was doing so in part to \u200brecognize the &#8220;Indigenous Knowledge&#8221; of\u2064 the Native Americans who originally inhabited the land.<\/p>\n<p>The\u200c move was indicative\u200c of the administration&#8217;s embrace, in late 2022, of &#8220;Indigenous Knowledge&#8221;\u2014that is, \u2064Native American folk wisdom\u2014as part of their scientific assessments. So when Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/news\/national-news-release\/secretary-haaland-leaders-celebrate-new-us-geological-survey-university\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" data-saferedirecturl=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?q=https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/news\/national-news-release\/secretary-haaland-leaders-celebrate-new-us-geological-survey-university&#038;source=gmail&#038;ust=1708204913550000&#038;usg=AOvVaw0fjxXAphb3fRk9_HFvXGK3\">announced \u2064on<\/a> Sept. 6, 2023, that the entire United States Arctic\u2063 Ocean was off limits to new oil and gas leasing, and canceled seven oil and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/biden-cancels-all-remaining-leases-congress-issued-in-arctic-refuge-further-gutting-american-energy\/\" title=\"Biden scraps Arctic leases, deals blow to US energy.\">gas leases issued<\/a>\u200c by former president Donald Trump after\u200b a \u2063review, she cited &#8220;the\u200d best\u200c available science&#8221; \u2062and said the \u2062decision was also a &#8220;recognition of \u200cthe Indigenous Knowledge of the original stewards of this area.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>That announcement has prompted a scientific integrity <a href=\"https:\/\/freebeacon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/02\/Scientific-Integrity-Complaint-OSTP-DOI-Indigenous-Knowledge.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">complaint<\/a> by Protect the Public\u2019s Trust, a watchdog group. &#8220;Indigenous Knowledge,&#8221; the complaint says, privileges &#8220;subjective beliefs over and above evidence derived from \u200dthe application of the scientific method.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The American public can \u200crightly hold serious \u2064concerns that the\u2063 Biden administration\u2019s decision making, through \u200dthe use of Indigenous Knowledge, is \u2062susceptible to manipulation without even the pretense of adhering to \u2064scientific principles,&#8221; Protect the Public\u2019s Trust director Michael Chamberlain wrote in the complaint.<\/p>\n<p>Haaland\u2019s remarks are the latest example of \u200dhow &#8220;Indigenous \u200dKnowledge,&#8221; a pseudoscience which \u200bposits native people possess unique insights into the laws of\u200c the universe, has pervaded the federal government. \u2064A variety of federal agencies\u200b have hosted\u200b &#8220;Indigenous Knowledge&#8221; seminars. And Health and Human Services <a href=\"https:\/\/freebeacon.com\/biden-administration\/fda-and-cdc-could-soon-employ-indigenous-knowledge-documents-show\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">is poised<\/a> to order all of\u2063 its sub-agencies, which include the Food and Drug\u2062 Administration and the Center for Disease Control, to \u2063incorporate &#8220;Indigenous Knowledge&#8221; into\u200d its decision making at some point this year.<\/p>\n<p>The Department \u2064of the \u200bInterior did \u2064not respond to a request for comment.<\/p>\n<p>Biden administration \u200dofficials, in \u200dmemos and public records, conflate &#8220;Indigenous Knowledge&#8221; with \u2063the scientific method. Federal\u2062 agencies, White House records state, are\u200c encouraged to consider the &#8220;spiritual wisdom&#8221; of native peoples when\u2062 issuing new rules or regulations.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;The elevation of subjective beliefs over \u2063and above evidence \u200bderived via the scientific method flies in the face of the Biden administration\u2019s purported fealty\u2063 to science,&#8221; Chamberlain told the <em>Washington Free \u2062Beacon<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Considering &#8220;Indigenous\u2062 Knowledge&#8221; may also run afoul of federal law,\u200c Protect the\u2062 Public\u2019s Trust notes in\u2064 its complaint. The research released by federal\u2063 agencies,\u2062 including the Department of the Interior, is governed by a 2001 bill called the Information\u200d Quality Act.<\/p>\n<p>The Information Quality Act dictates what kind of data sources the federal government may use when it issues\u200c new\u2063 rules. &#8220;Indigenous Knowledge&#8221; is \u2062not mentioned anywhere in that law\u2019s text\u200b and\u200b the Department of the Interior\u2019s guidelines state that &#8220;information released by the Department will be developed only from reliable \u2063data \u200csources based on accepted practices \u200band policies.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Haaland promised, in an October 2021 interview with the <em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonpost.com\/politics\/2021\/10\/15\/eleven-questions-deb-haaland\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Washington\u200b Post<\/a><\/em>, that she &#8220;directed&#8221; the U.S. Geological Survey, which is under the umbrella of the Department\u2064 of the Interior,\u200d to &#8220;unleash\u2063 the science!&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;Scientists need to be able to have the freedom to do what they do best\u2014research, compile data, share it with the world, and use\u200d that data to help all of us make the best decisions for our planet now and for the future,&#8221; she said. &#8220;I have expressed over and \u2063over again my support for the\u2064 scientists and for the work they\u2063 do.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>Last April, the U.S. \u200cGeological\u200c Survey hosted a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.usgs.gov\/programs\/climate-adaptation-science-centers\/science\/incorporating-indigenous-knowledges-federal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">webinar<\/a> called &#8220;Incorporating Indigenous\u2063 Knowledges into \u2064Federal Research and Management: What are Indigenous Knowledges?&#8221; \u2063There, an outside &#8220;Indigenous Knowledge&#8221; consultant warned against\u200d practices\u2062 that could &#8220;disrespect the spirits.&#8221;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p> <\/p>\n<h2> How does the application of the scientific method ensure\u2062 objective and evidence-based \u2063policy formulation?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  Ntific method undermines the integrity of the scientific process and erodes public trust in the\u200c government&#8217;s decision-making,&#8221; the \u2064complaint alleges. &#8220;It is deeply troubling that the Biden administration is prioritizing subjective beliefs over objective evidence.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p>The complaint by Protect\u200c the Public\u2019s \u2063Trust\u200b raises important questions about the role of Indigenous Knowledge in the formulation of \u2062policies and regulations. While it is\u200b crucial to respect and honor the cultural \u2063heritage and traditional knowledge of\u200b Indigenous peoples, it is equally important to ensure that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/one-year-later-how-the-death-of-george-floyd-changed-5-american-institutions\/\" title=\"One Year Later: How The Death Of George Floyd Changed 5 American Institutions\u00a0\">decision-making processes<\/a> are grounded\u200d in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/anthony-fauci-finally-admits-the-truth-about-evidence-behind-covid-guidelines\/\" title=\"Fauci admits truth about COVID guidelines evidence\">rigorous scientific evidence<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>The application of the scientific method, which relies on empirical \u200devidence, systematic observation, and rigorous testing, is the foundation of sound scientific decision-making. \u200cIt is through this process that \u200cscientific knowledge is generated and validated, allowing \u200cfor objective and evidence-based policy formulation.<\/p>\n<p>By equating Indigenous Knowledge with scientific knowledge, the \u2062Biden administration risks compromising the objectivity and \u200dreliability\u200d of\u2063 its decision-making processes. This\u200c is particularly concerning in areas such as public\u2064 health and\u200b environmental protection, where <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/us-attorney-flaks-for-embattled-soros-da-hours-after-taking-office\/\" title=\"US Attorney Flaks for Embattled Soros DA Hours After Taking Office\">evidence-based policies<\/a> are crucial for safeguarding\u200b the well-being of the population and the sustainability of our planet.<\/p>\n<p>While indigenous peoples\u200b have a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/legal-group-files-complaint-against-university-of-california-berkeley-over-segregated-graduation\/\" title=\"Legal group files complaint against UC Berkeley over segregated graduation.\">rich cultural heritage<\/a> \u2064and possess\u200b valuable traditional knowledge about their ecosystems, it is important to distinguish between cultural practices and scientific knowledge. While \u2064the former is shaped by\u2064 social, economic, \u2064and spiritual factors, the latter is grounded in systematic scientific inquiry \u200band empirical evidence.<\/p>\n<p>Incorporating\u2063 Indigenous Knowledge into decision-making processes should \u200bbe done cautiously and in\u200d a manner that\u200c respects the boundaries between cultural practices \u2064and scientific\u2063 knowledge. This can be achieved through collaboration between indigenous communities, scientists, and policymakers, \u200bensuring \u2064that traditional knowledge is\u200b considered alongside \u200cscientific evidence, without compromising the rigor and objectivity \u200bof the\u2064 scientific process.<\/p>\n<p>It\u200d is crucial\u2064 for the Biden administration, and all \u2063government \u2064agencies, to \u2064uphold scientific integrity and ensure \u200dthat \u200dpolicies and regulations\u2064 are based on sound \u200dscientific \u2062evidence. This requires maintaining a clear distinction between\u2063 cultural practices and scientific knowledge, and ensuring that subjective \u200dbeliefs do not override objective evidence.<\/p>\n<p>Protecting the integrity of the scientific process is\u2063 not\u2064 only\u2063 essential for the credibility of the government&#8217;s decision-making\u2063 but also for the trust \u2062of the American\u2064 public. By \u2062prioritizing evidence-based\u200b policies and regulations, the Biden administration can demonstrate its commitment to scientific \u2064integrity\u200d and ensure that the well-being of the population and the \u200cenvironment remain at the\u2062 forefront\u2062 of its agenda.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Watchdog files complaint over admin prioritizing &#8216;subjective beliefs&#8217; over &#8216;evidence&#8217;. Biden admin blocked Alaska oil and gas leases, citing recognition of Native Americans&#8217; &#8220;Indigenous Knowledge&#8221;. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland (Getty Images) involved<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":197,"featured_media":2179664,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/freebeacon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/GettyImages-1223462970_736x514.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[544],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2179663","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-free-beacon"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/freebeacon.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/GettyImages-1223462970_736x514.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2179663","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/197"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2179663"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2179663\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2179664"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2179663"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2179663"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2179663"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}