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Date
Dec 6, 2023
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4
Uploaded by HighnessNightingaleMaster965
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The Power of Indigenous Knowledge
Emily R. Moniz
University of Western Ontario
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It is embedded socially and culturally that Indigenous Science and Knowledge is a less
relevant source of information than universal knowledge. Westernized universities have ignored
and dismissed these Knowledges due to pure negligence to Indigenous worldviews. However, it
is proved through their use of Indigenous Epistemology, the equivalency to Westernized
education, and the value of orally transmitted knowledge that these components hold the power
to potentially avoid further destruction to our planet.
To begin, Indigenous Epistemology expresses the importance of holistic knowledge
rooted in personal experience (Castellano, M. B., 2023). Growing up learning the traditional
curriculum taught in Canada, Indigenous Knowledge was never presented as a subject of
learning. It has come to my understandings after watching the Orientation Module, that not only
does Indigenous Knowledge hold an experiential aspect, but also historical significance, which
for many, including myself, is an easier way of learning. As Dr. Hopkins states, “every
generation of people on this Earth have gone through phases of development, struggles, and a
good life which has created change” (Hopkins, 2023). Elders passing down knowledge about
how to preserve resources can avoid many environmental challenges we currently face.
Therefore, the benefit of Indigenous Epistemology presents the idea of being able to learn from
one's mistakes and advance based off their errors.
Secondly, the comparison of Indigenous to Westernized knowledge is perceived as
unequal. In a Venn diagram, there are the similarities and differences of Western and Indigenous
people's knowledge on estuarine crocodiles (NTDE, 1999). This Venn diagram illustrates the
minor differences between each, but overall, the major concept is the same. Dr. Hopkins explains
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that her education from Midewiwin is equivalent to a Doctor of Philosophy degree given by a
university. However, as someone unaware about this form of education, I would be hesitant
having a Doctor of Philosophy with an “untraditional” degree educate me. She also explains how
North American academia focuses on the textual aspect of learning, whereas Midewiwin
expresses the importance of using knowledge in a meaningful way that benefits family and
community (Hopkins, 2023). This is crucial to the advancement of just sustainability because by
acquiring knowledge and putting it into practice serves better value for the future. Thereupon, the
wisdom from Indigenous Knowledge holds as much, or even more weight than a universal
degree because it can be enforced into our reality.
Finally, the value of orally transmitted knowledge proves there is a core understanding. If
I truly have a proper understanding of something, I am able to communicate this knowledge
verbally. Reading about something does not mean you know how to do something really well.
Universities base how much one is able to memorize as the more knowledgeable one is (Jones,
2023). This relates to intersectionality because for example, people with a lack of education can
be aware of global issues without having to attend a formal education. For these reasons, this
perspective of learning is efficient and inclusive because of the prioritization of having a deeper
understanding to verbally communicate.
To conclude, before reading the Orientation Module, I was unaware of the beneficial
impact Indigenous Knowledge could have. If society recognized how much value there is in
Indigenous Epistemology, the similarities of Indigenous education and Euro-Western academia,
and orally transmitted knowledge, our world can avoid many wide spreading problems.
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References
Conclusion, ConversationClosing with Elder
. (n.d.). Retrieved September 22, 2023, from
https://vimeo.com/706978132/a31537a174.
Itrc. (2023a).
Indigenous Knowledges in the Academy: Visit with Dr. Marlene
Castellano
.
Vimeo
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https://vimeo.com/706976668/cd9ed2a760.
Itrc. (2023b).
Source of Indigenous Knowledge: Visit with Dr. Carol Hopkins (Nozhem)
.
Vimeo
.
Retrieved September 22, 2023, from https://vimeo.com/713307378/898a4cc534.
Michie, M., Hogue, M., & Rioux, J. (2018, November 20).
The application of both-ways and
two-eyed seeing pedagogy: Reflections on engaging and teaching science to post-
secondary indigenous students - research in Science Education
. SpringerLink.
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11165-018-9775-y