a few steps toward protecting indigenous knowledge michael lerma...
TRANSCRIPT
Overview
The Problem: Syntax ErrorDefining Indigenous Knowledge
A Concept of Indigenous KnowledgeThe Parameters of the Indigenous Knowledge UniverseProtecting Indigenous Knowledge: a how to guideFuture Research
Syntax Error
Adjective laden languageStaticEnglish as a language of business− Everyone interprets in a way that favors their own interest
English as the lowest common denominator− Everyone speaks it− It's supposed to make things universal (implied)
Conceptual Stretching (Sartori)Level of Generality or abstraction
Example of Syntax Error
Robyn quoting Grenier, “Indigenous knowledge (IK) refers to the unique, traditional, local knowledge existing within and developed around the specific conditions of women and men indigenous to a particular geographic area. . . . The development of IK systems, covering all aspects of life, including management of the natural environment, has been a matter of survival to the peoples who generated theses systems. Such knowledge systems are cumulative, representing generations of experiences, careful observations, and trial-and-error experiments.
Defining Indigenous Knowledge
Probably the hardest thing to doWhat are the constituent parts?
My own link to peoplehood− IK derives from sacred history− IK is linked to a place territory− IK is acknowledged via a ceremony cycle− IK is referred to using specific language
Are there other components?− I do not claim that my definition is exhaustive nor
complete
Concept Building
Basic LevelIndigenous Knowledge
Secondary LevelFour aspects of peoplehood as necessary conditions
Data/Indicator LevelHow do we observe the four aspects of peoplehoodin the real world and in relation to Indigenous Knowledge?
Table 1: Two Level View of Organic Value (based on Holm 2003)
Basic Level
Secondary Level
Organic
Sacred History
Territory & Water
Ceremony Cycle
Language
+/- +/- +/-
Table 2: Two Level View of Mechanistic Value (based on Holm 2003)
Basic Level
Secondary Level
Mechanistic
For Sale by the Tribe
Made by Non
Members
Int'l Source of Materials
Level of Western Context
+/- +/- +/-
A Mid-Level View of the IK Universe
Based on varying levels of academic abstraction
Some research is extensive case study with copious amounts of detailSome research is very macro with little detail but a great deal of relational information regarding specific examples of the phenomena under studyWe need a middle ground between micro and macro
Need a bridge between western and Indigenous philosophy as well
Indigenous Knowledge and Navajo Culture
What aspects of Indigenous Knowledge do Navajo people observe in their real world
People− Haataa[ii – healer/practitioner− Naa't1anii – traditional leader
Philosophy− K'4− Hozh0
CeremoniesOther Pan-Indian Concepts− Organic, Mechanistic
Table 3: A general view of Indigenous People based on Peoplehood
Basic Level
Secondary Level
Data/Indicator Level
IndigenousPeople
Sacred History
Territory & Water
Ceremony Cycle
Language
+/- +/- +/-
origin cycle desc.-
locat-ion
use-
symbo-lic acts
ex. of cerem- speech
oral hist-
Table 4: Three-Level View/Concept of Navajo Organic Value
Basic Level
Secondary Level
Data/Indicator Level
1. First Woman and First Man2. Four Peaks/Directions3. Din4 Tah4. ?5. ?6. ?7. Sacred Songs8. Prayer
Navajo OrganicValue
Navajo Sacred History
Navajo Territory &
Water
Navajo Ceremony
Cycle
Navajo Language+/- +/- +/-
1. 2.-
3. 4.-
5. 6.-
7. 8.-
Table 5: Three Level View/Concept of Navajo Mechanistic Value
Basic Level
Secondary Level
Data/Indicator Level
1. Navajo Rugs (Pendelton)2. Navajo Pottery3. Made in China4. Made in India5. Plastic from China (w/ lead!)6. Sythetic Paint (Not made from earth)7. Construction is streamlined/materials substituted8. Song/Prayer connected to object unknown/not disclosed/never existed
NavajoMechanistic
Value
For Sale By Navajo People
Made by Non-
Navajo
Materials come from
Off Rez
Level of Navajo Context
+/- +/- +/-
1. 2.-
3. 4.-
5. 6.-
7. 8.-
The Relational Ties
Understanding why the western world is interested in certain aspects of the Indigenous worldUnderstanding why aspects of the Indigenous world not exposed to the west could be in danger of assimilationUnderstanding the ties between a specific culture (Navajo) and the theoretical underpinnings of Indigenous Knowledge
Table 6: Concept Continuum of Organic and Mechanistic Value
Organic Scale: Values A through D
0/4 1 /4 2/4 3 /4 4/4
Least Mid Most
Mechanistic Scale: Values E through H
0/4 1 /4 2/4 3 /4 4/4
Least Mid Most
Table 7: The modern day relationship between objects with both Mechanistic and Organic Value
Least Org Most OrgMost Mech Least Mech
Least Protection Most Protectionunclear
Mechanistic Organic
Protecting IK (For Dummies)
The Master Plan1.Define the universe of Indigenous knowledge:
where are the boundaries (need not be definitive yet)
2.Identify the objects/entities at risk for loss3.Develop a strategy of protection or marketing
(limited resources means we can't protect or market everything)
4.Protect objects/entities in most danger of objectification (anti-marketing strategy)
Connecting the Macro with the Micro
This is done by looking at the organic and mechanistic value of particular objects
Organic – defined by the philosophy of the tribal community one is working for (with)− Remember to use the community specific traits to link the
academic definition to the necessary conditions – may require modification
Mechanistic – defined almost entirely by western notions of value− Link between community (Indigenous) and west based
on the way the community has adopted western notions of value and applied such value to objects/entities
Creating a Map for Reference
Look at several items at onceWhich are in most danger of being adopted by the west?Which are less likely to be adopted (less valuable to the west)Which objects are already goneWhich objects do you want to sell
Table 8: Ploting Value of Objects based on Mechanistic and Organic Value
4 1 2
3
Mechanistic Value Most DifficultMost Debate
2
1
3 40
1 2 3 4Organic Value
1. Objects with great mechanistic value and little organic value - little protection needed2. Objects with great organic/mechanistic value - heavily protect3. Low organic/mechanistic value - ignore4. Object with great organic value and little mechanistic value - anti-market
Table 9: All of the Possible Value Attributions
Organic = 1 Organic = 0.75M:4 O:4 M:4 O:3M:3 O:4 M:3 O:3M:2 O:4 M:2 O:3M:1 O:4 M:1 O:3M:0 O:4 M:0 O:3
Organic = 0.5 Organic = 0.25M:4 O:2 M:4 O:1M:3 O:2 M:3 O:1M:2 O:2 M:2 O:1M:1 O:2 M:1 O:1M:0 O:2 M:0 O:1
Organic = 0 Step By Step ProcessM:4 O:0 1. Select ItemM:3 O:0 2. Rank Organic ValueM:2 O:0 3. Rank Mechanistic ValueM:1 O:0 4. Plot ValuesM:0 O:0 5. Assign Appropriate Level of
Protection
Bibliography
Robyn, Linda. (2002). Indigenous Knowledge and Technology: Creating Environmental Justice in the Twenty-First Century. American Indian Quarterly, Vol. 26-2 pg. 198-220.