This content explores the complementary nature of Indigenous knowledge and Western science as two valid ways of knowing. It highlights their distinct methods, values, and benefits, and promotes a blended approach called Two-Eyed Seeing to address environmental and cultural challenges collaboratively.
Imagine your brain is a browser with 37 tabs open. One tab is beeping “DATA! GRAPHS! MICROSCOPE!” (hi, Western science). Another whispers "Listen to the land. Patterns live in stories." (hello, Indigenous knowledge). Now here’s the twist: both tabs are sciencey, both hunt for truth, and both can hel...
Ways of knowing are the methods and values a culture uses to decide what counts as true and useful. It’s the recipe for knowledge: the steps, tools, and the taste test. Different recipes = different flavors of truth. Big idea: A knowledge system includes methods (how we know), evidence (what we c...
Let’s compare the two approaches — gently, with snacks. Dimension Indigenous Knowledge (IK) Western Science (WS) Core vibe Relational, place-based, holistic Analytical, often reductionist, generalizing Time scale Centuries to millennia of observation Experiments and datasets; can be short...
Both IK and WS: Observe carefully and look for patterns . Make predictions (Where will the salmon run? Will this chemical react?). Test ideas against reality (Does this practice keep the forest healthy? Does the model match the data?). Self-correct over time. They just wear different shoes whil...
Indigenous Knowledge Cycle (sketch) 1. Live in a place, observe over seasons/years. 2. Learn through story, mentorship, and practice. 3. Try practices respectfully (e.g., when/where/how to harvest). 4. Watch results across generations; adjust if needed. 5. Share back to community; carry responsibili...
1) Fire Stewardship vs. Fire Suppression In many regions, Indigenous communities have practiced cultural burning —frequent, low-intensity fires that reduce fuel and support certain species. Modern wildfire science has shown that excluding all fire can build up dangerous fuel loads. Together: IK g...
"Isn’t Indigenous knowledge just stories?" Stories are data containers. They encode seasons, species behavior, hazards, and ethics. They’re like compressed files (.zip) you unpack with context. "Isn’t Western science totally objective?" It aims to reduce bias with methods. But humans choose the q...
A teaching shared by Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall: learn to see from one eye with the strengths of Indigenous knowledges and from the other eye with the strengths of Western science — and use both together. How to do this without giving your brain whiplash: Name the strengths. IK: deep place-bas...
Pick a local question: "When do pollinators visit our school garden?" IK-inspired moves: Observe quietly at different times and weather. Track patterns over weeks; listen for elders’ seasonal markers if available. Reflect on how your actions affect the garden (relational accountability). WS-inspi...
Indigenous knowledge is carried with responsibilities. Access may be guided by protocols; some knowledge is not for public use. Western science has its own ethics rules (consent, data sharing), but these don’t automatically cover cultural protocols. Golden rule: Nothing about us without us . Engag...
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