Week 11 - Indigenous Epistemologies

Anna Atkins

"Dictyota dichotoma, in the young state; and in fruit"

from Part XI of Photographs of British Algae: Cyanotype Impressions

1849

To understand this week's reading, one must fully understand the word epistemology. In short terms it is "the philosophical study of the nature, origin, and limits of human knowledge." In "Indigenous Methodologies: Characteristics, Conversations, and Contexts" by Dr. Margaret Kovach, she looks into her indigenous roots to question individuals' epistemological foundations in order to find out one's biases and approach to research depending on their prior experiences.

Kovach describes Indigenous epistemologies as knowledge that things are rooted in relationships between people, their land, and the communities that are built around those things. Indigenous epistemologies shine a light on the connections people have, holistic approaches, and traditions. Indigenous people's knowledge includes an understanding over individualism and the fact that we are not individuals, we are part of a community. They also emphasize lived experiences and continue traditions and practices on for generations. Western epistemologies on the other hand are more individualistic and value evidence and the scientific method. They also categorize things and view the world as a measurable thing with data. They do not focus on holistic ways or tradition. Indigenous epistemologies focus on relationships and context, whereas the Western approach focuses on individualism and construct.

The suppression of non-Christian religions and cultures in Western ideas goes a very long time back. Western science is literally built alongside colonialism. This leads to dismissal of Indigenous knowledge and traditions because they were not the norm. They are often viewed as primal or "unscientific." In the Enlightenment era of time which focused on evidence and reasoning was a time where non-Western beliefs were framed as inferior because they were "superstitious" compared to the science of Western beliefs. This has resulted in a system that likes Western ideas and sidelines Indigenous practices and traditions. An example of this is Indigenous peoples' knowledge about the environment, especially medicinal plants. They have been very overlooked because they are not considered Western medicine, therefore deemed as less important or effective. 

Definitions of professionalism are discriminatory against people from non-Western cultures in many ways. Cultural norms and certain behaviors are viewed as acceptable and they often do not include Indigenous traditions, clothing, or culture in general. Different people have different ways of expressing themselves, and when only certain things are accepted in a culture, it is difficult for those that are different to succeed.

Kovach uses the buffalo hunt as a metaphor for Indigenous research methodologies, especially the importance of context and community involvement. In this analogy, the hunt represents a communal and holistic approach to knowledge, where the process is just as important as the outcome. The hunt requires careful observation, an understanding of the environment, and the community to be involved. This shows the connection between the land and those living off of it. In Western schools, it is more common to see individualistic ideas and detachment from others. Using the scientific method and controlled environments are two examples. With this approach it is easy to overlook the community that provides the research. These perspectives provide ideas on how knowledge can be produced and learned across different cultures.

Kovach’s work highlights the complexity of Indigenous epistemologies, pushing for more recognition and inclusion of the approaches. I think this is a valid push to make because holistic approaches that keep the land in mind are what our world needs in the future. I think we have come a long way from just believing Western ideas, but we still have a long way to go.