Module II-Integrating Native and Western ways of knowing

Explain


How is everything connected from the perspectives of indigenous peoples and Western scientists? What are the advantages to knowing both ways?



“Galileo’s head was on the block. The crime was looking up for truth.”

Music and lyrics by Emily Saliers of the Indigo Girls



Traditional native knowledge is said to be based on intuition (Alaska Native Science Commission: Traditional Knowledge Systems in the Arctic), but doesn’t Western science rely on intuition as well? Anyone can be taught the skills of a scientist, a hunter or even a football player, but to excel in any of these endeavors one needs intuition.



Galileo’s instinct told him that Copernicus’ idea of a heliocentric universe was accurate; he simply needed a way to prove it. Skepticism and global verification are two ways in which Western science and traditional native knowledge differ. Western science calls the formation of a theory without sufficient evidence or proof simply a conjecture; whereas, traditional native knowledge trusts inherited wisdom.



Both traditional native knowledge and Western science agree that the universe is unified. Alaska Native peoples live a lifestyle that keeps them intimately connected with the world around them. They take part in the interdependent relationships of the natural world and their scope of knowledge is directly related to survival in that environment. Their knowledge includes all things required to survive life. One not only learns to subsist but learns courage, creativity, how to be bold under pressure and how to deal with stress as part of everyday life.



In contrast, Western scientists prove unity through micro and macro theories. For example, the String Theory reduces everything in the universe to microscopic particles acting according to the laws of physics. It states that everything is made of tiny, vibrating loops of string (energy) and particle properties are simply a reflection of the various ways in which a string can vibrate (pbs.org/wgbh/nova/elegant/everything.html). WOW!



Although both ways of knowing concur that the universe is unified, their approaches are radically different. Alaska Native peoples see unity as part of their existence. Western scientists try to discover universal unity at microscopic (or macroscopic) levels… levels that may not directly relate to ones daily existence. Despite their differences, there are advantages in knowing both ways. When used concurrently they validate, inform and give new meaning and value to each other.



Extend

Connect concepts to others and describe new ideas or possible applications.



There are several examples in the world of art illustrating how cultures have adapted to new knowledge about our world. The one that immediately jumps into my head is the use of linear perspective during the Renaissance. Before linear perspective, figures and objects were painted with their sizes proportionate to their spiritual worth. For example a sinner would be smaller than a bishop, an angel smaller than a church and a church smaller than Jesus. Because of linear perspective (painting objects true to their relative sizes), people began viewing the world more scientifically rather than spiritually. Objects were seen as three dimensional and could be described mathematically. Mastering spatial relationships lead to advances in architecture and gave engineering and science a mathematical basis. Cartography and surveying also changed as a result of linear perspective; a round world could now be mapped on a flat surface. Anatomical drawings became more accurate and the foundations of modern science were laid (The Day the Universe Changed, Burke).



Just as students changed their way of thinking during the Renaissance, scientists today need to reflect upon their ways of thinking. No longer can scientists systematically isolate and study aspects of natural phenomenon. Scientists need to integrate a more traditional, holistic approach to knowing. They need to combine current technology with long-term, comprehensive observations of native peoples to address the problems of today.



Evaluate

Weigh specific values and perspectives against each other as a measure of utility or importance.



Before completing this module I knew (as I believe most people do) that everything is connected. We’ve all seen Ray Troll’s t-shirts that proclaim “There’s no free lunch”-right? What I haven’t taken into consideration is how one “knows”. I feel fortunate that my knowledge of the universe is a mixture of traditional ways of knowing (even though I’m not Native American) as well as Western science. It is difficult for me to separate the two. It’s ludicrous for me to think of making an informed decision about something without looking at it from all angles. Therefore, I whole heartedly believe in teaching students the value of traditional ways of knowledge as well as Western science.