1.2 Knowledge and wisdom
Another critical element in TEK is the interconnection between knowledge and wisdom. ‘Knowledge’ usually refers to information or awareness that someone has about a subject. This can be gained through education or experience. ‘Wisdom’ refers to someone’s good sense or judgment and ability to process, apply, or otherwise act on knowledge.
Knowledge and wisdom are both essential elements of that experiential body of practices, beliefs, and cultures developed through millennia. Some authors refer to it as traditional ecological knowledge and wisdom (TEKW).
What is the point of learning if it does not result in acting on that knowledge?
An example of the combination of local knowledge and wisdom that is found in every traditional culture, and especially those based on agriculture, is proverbs (sayings). They help people understand natural phenomena, engage with them and act with wisdom. People used proverbs to remind them how to act, such as planting seeds at a specific time or in certain weather, or staying inside if the wind was blowing from a certain direction.
Activity 7.1 Proverbs for the world
2. 
Share the local proverbs you have thought of to the padlet wall along with any thoughts you have about them.
After adding them, move them around to cluster them or connect them with proverbs about similar ideas.
Return to the wall after a few days and look at the accumulated wisdom on the wall. It may not be scientifically validated knowledge but much of it seems to have truth in it. Where has that truth come from?
1.1 TEK as a collective and place-based experience