"Native Knowledge for Native Ecosystems"

Paper Summary:

This paper briefly reviews Robin Wall Kimmerer's 2000 article, "Native Knowledge for Native Ecosystems" and highlights the article's main points as well as how it approaches the broad concept of ethno-ecology. More importantly, the paper also touches upon how the article approaches the linkage of local and/or traditional knowledge of ecological systems with academic and/or scientific knowledge of those same systems. Finally, the paper discusses the significance of the aforementioned linkage as it pertains to the future of human beings in the global ecosystem.

From the Paper:

"Simply put, Kimmerer's argument is that Native Americans intensively cultivated the land so that it would provide them with sufficient foodstuffs to brave the grueling winter months. While modern-day efforts to restore the ancient biological vitality and bio-diversity of the American woods and ecosystems is a laudable goal, it is not possible without also considering how the natives were able to so successfully manage the world around them. In effect, Kimmerer argues that modern-day conservationists must "heal" their relationship to the land and understand the land spiritually and emotionally as well as intellectually. Less abstractly, Kimmerer states that twenty-first century man must adopt the "site-specific" or "diachronic" knowledge which well-served Native Americans in the past and which lends itself to successful local site restoration. "

Sample of Sources Used:

• Berkes, Fikret, Colding, Johan, & Folke, Carl. (2000). Rediscovery of traditional ecological knowledge as adaptive management. Ecological Applications, 10(5): 1251-62.
• Kimmerer, Robin Wall. (2000). Native knowledge for native ecosystems. Journal of Forestry, 98: 4-9.
• Pierotti, Raymond & Wildcat, Daniel. (2000). Traditional ecological knowledge: The third alternative (commentary). Ecological Applications, 10(5): 1333-1340.

More papers on "Native Knowledge for Native Ecosystems":

• Article Review # 129790 : "Native Knowledge for Native Ecosystems"
• Essay # 137346 : "Education for Native People in Canada: The Problems, and Recommendations for Possible Solutions"
• Essay # 84761 : "Native vs. Non-native Anthropology"

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