IDSA01H3 Chapter 3: WEEK 3 How Indigenous Knowledge Advances Modern Science and Technology
22 Oct 2018
School
Department
Course
Professor
How Indigenous Knowledge Advances Modern Science and Technology
By: The Conversation
-indigenous peoples have been responsible for the development of many technologies and
have substantially contributed to science
-Science is the pursuit of knowledge—approaches to gathering that knowledge are
culturally relative
-Indigenous science incorporates traditional knowledge and perspectives, while non-
Indigenous scientific approach are commonly recognized as Western science
-Together they contribute substantially to modern science
-Indigenous perspectives are holistic and founded upon interconnectedness,
reciprocity and the utmost respect for nature
-Both Western and Indigenous science approaches and perspectives have their strengths
and can gÍreatly compliment one another
Examples where blending both approaches has resulted in excellent
contributions to modern science:
1. Roots of Food and Medicine
-indigenous peoples lives depended on their knowledge about the environment
-Many plant species—-including three fifths of the crops now in cultivation and enjoyed
across the globe—-were domesticated by Indigenous peoples in North, Central and South
America
-Corn, squash, beans, potatoes and peppers are just a few ex of foods ghat now contribute
vastly to global cuisine
-Indigenous knowledge about he medicinal properties of plants has been instrumental in
pharmacological development
-i.e. as settlers arrived in NA, Indigenous people helped newcomers cure life-threatening
scurvy through conifer-needle tonics that were rich in vitamin C
-The active ingredient in the pain reliever, Aspirin, acetylsalicylic acid, was first discovered
by Indigenous people who utilized the bark of willow tree
-Medicinal plant properties are still being recognized to this day—-esp. In tropical
ecosystems—-as Indigenous people share their knowledge
2. Technology to TEK
-technological innovations s/a the canoe, kayak, toboggan, or snow-shoe aided in travel
and transport and were quickly adapted by European settlers
-Indigenous peoples , with their decades of personal experience combines with that of their
ancestors, harbour vast knowledge about the environment and the ecological relationships
within them
-Tremendous opportunities exist where such knowledge can contribute to modern science
and natural resource management
Document Summary
How indigenous knowledge advances modern science and technology. By: the conversation indigenous peoples have been responsible for the development of many technologies and have substantially contributed to science. Science is the pursuit of knowledge approaches to gathering that knowledge are culturally relative. Indigenous science incorporates traditional knowledge and perspectives, while non- Indigenous scienti c approach are commonly recognized as western science. Together they contribute substantially to modern science. Indigenous perspectives are holistic and founded upon interconnectedness, reciprocity and the utmost respect for nature. Both western and indigenous science approaches and perspectives have their strengths and can g reatly compliment one another. Examples where blending both approaches has resulted in excellent contributions to modern science: indigenous peoples lives depended on their knowledge about the environment: roots of food and medicine. Many plant species -including three fths of the crops now in cultivation and enjoyed across the globe -were domesticated by indigenous peoples in north, central and south.
