Native Science

Cajete examines the multiple levels of meaning that inform Native astronomy, cosmology, psychology, agriculture, and the healing arts. Unlike the western scientific method, native thinking does not isolate an object or phenomenon in order to understand it, but perceives it in terms of relationship. An understanding of the relationships that bind together natural forces and all forms of life has been fundamental to the ability of indigenous peoples to live for millennia in spiritual and physical harmony with the land. It is clear that the first peoples offer perspectives that can help us work toward solutions at this time of global environmental crisis.

(Not fully read – mentioned in Human Exceptionalism (episode) )

Some important concepts from the book (Goodreads summary)

1. Knowledge cannot be separated from its societal context. The priorities of a society show up throughout the research process and often passes invisibly. Native Science acknowledges and embraces this context.

2. Oral traditions can transmit and preserve a lot of information. This was the hardest concept for me to wrap my head around, but I’ll try to summarize by way of example. What does the Nike Swoosh mean? It symbolizes a lot of things: The company, Nike; the phrase “just do it,” perhaps it indicates social class, or the whole concept of fitness. There are many layers of meaning to the Nike Swoosh, one of the most recognized symbols on the planet. Similarly, metaphors and symbols conveyed through art, ceremony, and oral tradition can hold a lot of information and meaning. An ingenious method for transmitting data across generations.

3. Science cannot be divorced from other aspects of society. The author emphasizes that calling Native Science “science” is somewhat arbitrary (a quote from the book) because it’s so deeply incorporated into the culture. Producing knowledge, sharing it, and using it were all apart of daily life. Whereas in a Western tradition, “science” is sometimes viewed as separate from daily life.