Integration of indigenous and local knowledge into sustainability education: a systematic literature review

Grounded in the relationship between sustainability and epistemological justice, this paper presents a systematic review of literature regarding the incorporation of Indigenous and local knowledge into sustainability and environmental education. The search includes articles published in English and Spanish between 2016 and 2020, with SCOPUS and WoS indexation. Based on methodological and thematic criteria, the original corpus of 182 unique articles was reduced to 20 and analysed using a qualitative thematic framework. The results show: i) pathways of integration that differ in how legitimacy is distributed and actors’ agency recognized; ii) challenges associated with actors moving across frames of reference and lack of resources and support; and iii) specific features of Indigenous and local knowledge better suited for integration and the positive outcomes of this integration for students identity and learning outcomes. These findings are useful to orientate future research and educative experiences aiming to articulate indigenous and western knowledge in sustainability education.