What can indigenous Traditional Knowledge teach us? | The Stream

Indigenous communities have for centuries drawn on native scientific knowledge to help them understand the world around them. Known popularly as Traditional Knowledge, this observational evidence is verified by elders and passed on to successive generations, largely as an oral tradition.

Traditional Knowledge encompasses practices as varied as farming, fishing and medicine. And it gives insight into climate change, which frequently impacts on indigenous communities. In July the Nenets of Siberia joined several Native American tribes in the northwestern United States for the 2018 Canoe Journey, a yearly gathering aimed at fostering inter-tribal community. Researchers taking part in the journey through the Salish Sea gathered water quality data through probes attached to their vessels, enhancing their understanding of how the sea is changing.

Traditional Knowledge is also of great value to Western scientists, with the learning and experience of indigenous communities useful to archaeologists, climatologists, and botanists. In some cases, Traditional Knowledge can help researchers refine or complete historical accounts - and even give Western scientists a brand-new understanding of incidents long ago.

Yet the scientific accounts of indigenous communities are sometimes considered by Western scientists as inferior for not rigidly conforming to Western standards of objectivity and quantifiability. Practitioners of Traditional Knowledge say they often struggle to be taken seriously by scientists working in the Western paradigm. They are concerned that such attitudes could limit opportunities for young indigenous people to consider careers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

We’ll meet leading Traditional Knowledge scientists and consider what their approaches have brought indigenous communities and beyond. We’ll also hear about the challenges they face when working alongside Western science professionals.

On this episode of The Stream, we speak with:

Jonathan Waterhouse
Indigenous Peoples Scholar, Portland State University

Tero Mustonen
Researcher in Indigenous Knowledge and Climate Change

Samantha Chisholm-Hatfield @drsamzs
Post-Doctoral Research Associate, Northwest Climate Science Adaptation Center

#aljazeeraenglish

[roychowdhury]

Indigenous Traditional Knowledge have been developed over many, many years that is compatible to living harmoniously with the planet earth's ecology. It will be important for us to study these systems and try to incorporate in our lives in the modern civilization.

[henryarero]

Indigenous traditional knowledge on herbal medicine is critical and should be Supported

[henryarero]

This equally reminds me of scientific ways of weather forecasting and indigenous traditional knowledge on the same.

[henryarero]

Indigenous traditional knowledge is communities knowledge not only on Enviromental Conservation but in all aspect of life.ITK can be fully used in Enviromental Conservation in addressing climate change.

[henryarero]

Music, through History telling and traditional elders Engagemnt can be ways of conserving Enviroment

[theisisreincarnate]

Funny that they asked white professors and researchers to define "traditional knowledge"!

[henryarero]

What are best practises on Enviromental Conservation by Indigenous communities?

[nalanish]

From centuries of learning comes practices which can also be called indigenous knowledge but they have to be identified and announced as indigenous and native: because lot of herbs, grains, medicines are sitting ducks for the grab by corporate... they do the research and patent it..it should not be owned... wonder if there is any legality which addresses this issue ?

[Andrea-brgv]

Yes, people around the world should lean to take from nature small amounts of food so that they can have food all year and every year, . Also they will look better like the two ladies in the stage,

[henryarero]

Benefit of Enviromental Conservation Discussion Between different communities can be another way

[SusanDianeHowell]

And truth is knowledge of things as they are, and as they were, and as they are to come.

"For man is spirit. The elements are eternal, and spirit and element, inseparably connected, receive a fulness of joy;" - Doctrine and Covenants 93:33

[henryarero]

Harmonise modern society ways of Enviromental Conservation with indigenous one

[summertime]

I have to admit, I love seeing Oregonians! Call it my Northwest pride. :)

[silvertime]

why does thumbnail look like adam Sandler to me

[walterdickman]

Yes, there is much good in what you are saying.  Traditional Arabic language and traditional Hebrew language are ancient and indigenous to the same peoples and same areas of the world. It is time for these two to get closer together in Palestine/Israel.

[KeltoiMagus]

There’s a lesson, never use jargon in mass communication.

[henryarero]

Indeginous traditional people should Tell their Story Not the other way round

[msrose]

you didnt even focus on the first Indigenous people and the oldest living culture in the world, Australia's First Nations People. What a shame.

[azzadpersad]

The Black Moors and Islam brought the great European Renaissance google the Moors in Spain they were there for over 700 years and the left many libaries mosques public baths the navigator of Columbus ship The Santa Maria was a Moor and the two other ships The Pinta and The Nina's captains were Moors the history is there just not told.

[lloydmunga]

All imperialistic and capitalistic knowledge in regards to life sustaining is anti-enviromental because of the sheer volume ... take for instance cities .... cities displace fauna, destroy plant life etc .... natural waterways are diverted or destroyed to reclaim land, and most of all, by its nature is unnatural, as everything is done for maximum yield, as opposed to taking just what you need, which is what indigenous methods for the most part do .... even that can be detrimental if enough of the population does it