WAB Learns: Theory of Knowledge: Knowledge and Indigenous Societies

Key Concepts

Should we try to define or identify indigenous societies? What can developed societies learn from them?

UN Declaration of Rights for Indigenous People

Is the process of producing, applying and sharing indigenous knowledge similar to or different from other systems?

Two-Eyed Seeing: Interweaving IK and Western Science

The Other Way of Knowing
an inside look at Indigenous ways of knowing shows that they offer unique and dependable insights, in precisely the areas where Western science is often weakest.

Is it possible to "own" knowledge? Is cultural appropriation a violation of collective intellectual property rights?

Traditional Knowledge and the Public Domain
Genes, People and Property
Good collection of articles on issues around Indigenous peoples, their genes, and who owns the rights.

Things that make you go hmmm....

Interview: Why is the World so Beautiful?
‘Western science is a powerful way of knowing, but it isn't the only one says Robin Wall Kimmerer.
Canada's Residential School System
How have government education policies and systems compromised the transmission of indigenous knowledge?
Native Americans Recasting Stereotypes
To what extent is our perspective determined by our membership of a particular culture?
Ancient Ballgame Makes a Comeback
What role do objects and artefacts play in the construction and sharing of knowledge?
Questions of Conquest
Mario Llosa Vargos asks: How was it possible that cultures as powerful and sophisticated as those of the ancient Mexicans and Peruvians–huge imperial cultures, as opposed to the scattered tribes of North America–so easily crumbled when encountered by infinitesimally small bands of Spanish adventurers?
Designer accused of cultural appropriation
How can we distinguish between being inspired by cultural heritage, and appropriating them?
Every culture appropriates
Uncontacted Tribes: What do we know?
Star Trek's "Prime Directive" dictated non-interference with the natural development of civilizations. What principles should we follow with "uncontacted" tribes?
When Whaling is your Tradition
How do we decide between indigenous traditions and environmental protections?
The Economics of Language
Should indigenous peoples adapt to the dominant culture? Do they lose anything if they do?
Indigenous Languages Are Dying: It's a Good Thing
UN policies on indigenous peoples
UNESCO website providing links to UN and other agency policies.
Indigenous Peoples and the 2030 Agenda
Website with resources relating to indigenous peoples and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
How 6 Indigenous Designers are Using Fashion to Reclaim Their Culture
2018 article from Vogue magazine.
Native American imagery is all around us, while the people are often forgotten
2018 article from National Geographic looking at issues around cultural appropriation.
The Fight to Decolonize the Museum
Article from The Atlantic about museums, focusing particularly on the Royal Museum for Central Africa located in Brussels.
Centre for Indigenous Knowledge Systems
Collection of information about indigenous knowledge in Ghana—variety of subjects.
What is Traditional Knowledge?
Article about knowledge in the Arctic; addresses various types of scientific knowledge.
Indigenising Curriculum
Article about the Baiga tribe in India known for knowledge of forests and healing.
Alaska Native Ways of Knowing
Article about indigenous ways of knowing in Alaska.

Do we have a responsibility to preserve indigenous cultures? What are the advantages and risks of assimilation?

What is the role of folklore, rituals and songs in acquiring and sharing knowledge

Are there advantages to holistic knowledge? Disadvantages?

How reliable are oral traditions in preserving knowledge in indigenous societies?

When Science "Discovers" what indigenous people knew all along.

What makes representation valid and reliable? How does representation affect what we know about indigenous knowledge?