Module 2 Natural History

Examine:

What are some differences between traditional Native knowledge and Western science?

There are some interesting distinctions between Native knowledge and Western science.  The main reason for the differences might be the differences in the purposes of that knowledge.  Native peoples needed to know and understand their world for their very survival while Western science may have stemmed from a basic curiosity about the world.  Although these may be the main driving force behind the acquisition of knowledge, this is not to say that advances in science have not added to our survival as a species and that curiosity did not ever motivate Native people to learn about the world.  
      

A primary difference between the two is the holistic view of the universe in the Native approach, while the Western approach is the examination of isolated parts of the world.  The Native explanation for why things happen would include spiritual, physical, social and moral.  They see a basic relationship and harmony in all things.  Native people learn about the world through living experience and direct observation.  They look for patterns and ways of fitting into those patterns.

Western science uses mathematics and experimentation to learn about the universe.  Science has at its root a basic skepticism about the world, unless observable and measurable, it is not seen as science and even then other variables may come into play to disprove what we believed to be true.  



Native knowledge is more optimistic and there is a belief in the inherited wisdom that has been passed down for generations through story telling and metaphor. New generations learn how to behave and survive in the world through a sensual appreciation of the world.  Daily practices reinforce this knowledge and helps it to grow.

Elder by the river from anthc.org

Western science prides itself on its separation from any moral or personal view of the world.  These are seen as anecdotal observations and are not respected until they can be proven through direct observation and the application of mathematics. Science begins with a hypothesis that must be verified.  It isolates parts to observe and measure and therefore sometimes misses the whole.   Science looks to verify itself through connections between fields such as cell biology, physiology, botany, etc.  It uses technology and disciplined research to grow its body of knowledge.  Science tends to look at humans as somewhat separate from nature.  We use instruments to observe and measure rather than developing and trusting human senses to understand our world. 

A Native colleague of mine told me about the recent death of a three-year-old child from hypothermia.  She said right before the child died it was very cold, way below zero, for weeks on end.  Then immediately afterward the weather changed and got warmer.  She believed in a connection between the child’s death and the weather patterns and said we were being told something.

Of course Western science would explain the weather in terms of weather patterns and data from previous years. It would also view as circumstance the connection between weather and the child’s death. But where we find common ground between the Native and scientific view of this tragedy, is what we all take away from it and the lesson to be learned.

 Essential:

How are Alaska's natural systems interconnected

Climate change is probably one of the biggest indicators of how Alaska's natural systems are interconnected. There has been a significant warming of the climate and Alaska has been particularly effected. Natural systems are atmosphere(air), lithosphere(land), hydrosphere(water), cyrosphere(ice) and biosphere(life). A change in any one of these systems affects the other systems. There is a natural ebb and flow between all of these systems.  Mountains in the interior of Alaska, for example, are gradually wearing away from wind and rain, while mountains in the Aleutian Islands are actually getting larger because of shifting tetonic plates.

Nushagak River  BHanson

Heat affects changes in the earth more than any other source.  It comes from the earth’s core and from the sun.  Heat from the sun changes the atmosphere and that in turn changes weather patterns through uneven  distribution of heat.   The movement of air and water also affects weather patterns. Although weather is difficult to predict, Native peoples have passed down accumulated knowledge of  weather patterns for generations.  Women traditionally were the ones who "read" the weather through keen observation of the environment.  Because of climate change weather patterns are becoming less and less predictable.   Native peoples cannot rely on knowledge they have relied on for centuries and are forced to adapt.

Cyrosphere is all of the frozen areas on the earth.  It stores water so that it can be used at future times, otherwise we would have floods and droughts and forest fires, among other things.  Melting permafrost creates erosion and warmer water temperatures which in turn affect salmon populations.  A decrease in salmon population affects subsistence fisherman and plant and animal life.

The polar caps play a significant role in keeping the earth cool by the reflection of snow and ice.  They have been melting at a much more rapid pace than other areas of the earth.  This melting effects not only the subsistence hunters in the area but will have profound effects on the rest of the world if the melting trend is not reversed.  A slight rise is the sea level will mean changes in landforms, plants, animals and humans. 

http://www.teachersdomain.org/resource/echo07.sci.life.coast.climate/

Global warming is a contentious issue.  Although most would agree that the temperatures on the earth are rising, they question whether this is caused by man or is just part of a natural cycle.  Perhaps we need to combine the accumulated data-based knowledge of scientists and the experiential, living knowledge of Native peoples to come up with solutions so that future generations are able to enjoy their environment and flourish on earth.

Beach at Kanackanak- SHanson

Evaluation:

I am really enjoying how this class is getting me thinking about and wanting to understand my community.  There is a lot of information presented and I feel at times overwhelmed, but I think I am starting to figure out how best to approach the class and my blog. It does take up a lot of time. I am trying to improve and simplify my blog.  The information is presented in a very engaging way and I do enjoy reading it.


  Blogs I have visited:

http://brendarosenthat.blogspot.com/

Brenda talks about awareness of place as a speech and language pathologist, especially being sensitive to the culture and differences in communication skills. http://explorealaskawithwhitney.blogspot.com/
Whitney uses technology in the classroom and addresses some difficulties of fitting into the culture.

http://alaskacoast.blogspot.com/

Chelsey uses multi-media to reach her students. I love the interspersion of Yup'ik words.