Ecology (indigenous studies) is an academic concept that examines ecological relationships, processes, and systems through the perspectives, knowledge systems, and practices of indigenous peoples. This field investigates how indigenous communities understand, interact with, manage, and sustain their environments, drawing upon traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), cultural practices, and worldviews that emphasize interconnectedness and reciprocal relationships between humans and the natural world. It holds significance within indigenous studies by challenging dominant Western ecological paradigms, highlighting the validity and value of indigenous ways of knowing, and informing contemporary approaches to environmental stewardship, conservation, climate adaptation science, and community planning based on indigenous principles and long-standing empirical observations.