3 Replies to “Grandmother Hero: Robin Wall Kimmerer on Integrating Western Scientific Knowledge with Indigenous Knowledge”

  1. I thoroughly enjoyed this talk. Thank you for bringing it to my attention. Grandmother hero…indeed! As I listened to this talk I thought more about the term “indigenous knowledge”, once unavailable to me, a Caucasian Scandinavian/French Canadian/Native American/Polish American. What indigenous knowledge could I have?
    I am truly an example of the immigrant melting pot that is America. I am truly an example of the American Dream…a first generation college graduate who achieved more than my parents, who achieved more than their parents.
    I fully understand the science/academic fortress, the silos that pigeon holes academics into specific lines of inquiry and no more. I am a generalist, a lover of thinking outside of the box, crossing lines into new territory. What indigenous knowledge might I have? Perhaps my love of the natural world, trusting my intuition, letting my heart guide my head…perhaps this is also a way of knowing.
    My favorite line “What are the ways that humans can be beneficial actors in the landscape?” Isn’t that what we all hope to achieve?
    Jody

  2. I’m glad that you liked her talk, Jodie. You would probably like her book Braiding Sweetgrass.

  3. This talk and discussion with grandmother RWK seems very near to the heart of Anima Soul. I definately can see, the need for the mixing of 4 sister garden as metaphor to counter the colonization of scientific thought and alienation of disciplines it engenders. More diverse and holisticly inclusive native approaches can help leaven the drive towards mono cultural thinking. How do we advance the cultural shifts in values needed to save our home? Michele, The range and guesting thoughts of yours are awesome.

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