Centering Indigenous Knowledge

By Launa Purcell (indigenousriseup@gmail.com)

Indigenous people have lived off of the land since time immemorial. Traditional knowledge is deeply rooted in this connection and relationship to Mother Earth. A cultural understanding of how to accept the gifts of the land in a careful and respectful way is embedded in all of the stories and teachings. This knowledge includes an understanding of plants, animals, land, water and people and the spiritual interconnectedness of all things. When nature is viewed as equal and related, it is easier to respect all things.

This indigenous voice hasn’t always been placed at the centre of land knowledge; in fact western knowledge is often viewed as the only objective, true science. Sharing indigenous ways of knowing not only addresses sustainability and respect for the land, it also can be a path towards reconciliation. In sharing the stories of the land you share the teachings of the local people, thus keeping this culturally specific knowledge alive. Building relationships where this transmission of knowledge can occur is essential to furthering this understanding of Indigenous land-based teachings.