#traditionalknowledge — Public Fediverse posts

#Biocultural families: Study centers #Indigenous priorities in connections to #environment

by Seth Truscott, August 11, 2026

"Washington State University horticulturist #JeffreyWall partnered with members of the #Mikmaq #FirstNations people of #Canada to create a new, #IndigenousCentered model of the connections that link humans with plants, animals and the environment.

"Wall interviewed over a dozen traditional knowledge keepers in Unama'ki, the #CapeBreton Island homeland of the Eskasoni Mi'kmaq. He asked tribal elders and allies to describe #BioculturalConnectivity — the relationship between human cultures and local #ecosystems — as they see it. The findings were published in Environmental Science & Policy.

" 'I wanted to show the connective forces that the Mi'kmaq prioritize,' Wall said. 'The goal was to be in tune with their deep #CulturalHeritage, traditions and the #indigenization of the future that they want to promote.'

"With more than 66,000 registered members, the Mi'kmaq are a resilient people native to the U.S. Northeast and Canada's Atlantic provinces who are revitalizing their language and growing their landholdings. Wall's work can guide future mapping and inform the institute's land acquisition strategy.

"The project reflects the concept of #TwoEyedSeeing — understanding the world from both #Indigenous and #Western approaches — introduced by Mi'kmaq elders Albert and Murdena Marshall.

" 'There is a growing understanding that environmental conditions can improve if we bring more Indigenous ways of knowing and being into the conversation,' said Lisa Young, executive director of the Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources. 'Maintaining a #reciprocal relationship with the land is in itself a way to protect and preserve it.' "

Read more:
https://phys.org/news/2026-08-biocultural-families-centers-indigenous-priorities.html

#SolarPunkSunday #EnvironmentalAwareness #EnvironmentalStewardship #TraditionalKnowledge #Technology #TraditionalEcologicalKnowledge

The #Indigenous Roots of #RegenerativeAgriculture

“All flourishing is mutual.”
– Robin Wall Kimmerer, Braiding Sweetgrass

August 9, 2023

"While a new wave of enthusiasm has crested in recent years, regenerative agriculture is an ancient concept that originated with #IndigenousPeoples around the world more than a thousand years ago. In many Indigenous world views, humans and nature are not separate forces, but parts of a whole that need each other to thrive. Regenerative agriculture supports this by promoting farming methods that enrich the land—so it can continue to provide for present and future generations.

"Embracing #TraditionalKnowledge

"Due to the long and horrific history of #StolenLand and #colonization, the Global North often refers to #IndigenousPeoples’ culture and knowledge in the past tense. Yet today, Indigenous peoples are indisputably the best guardians of our world’s most precious #ecosystems. When you take into account that the few remaining Indigenous lands are home to 80 percent of the world’s #Biodiversity, while modern #IndustrialAgriculture is responsible for 80 percent of global #deforestation, it’s clear that Western society still desperately needs to learn what Indigenous people have known for millennia: that human beings must live in a reciprocal relationship with the Earth.

"Around the world, Indigenous peoples have long practiced the key elements of regenerative agriculture. Here are just a few examples:

The art of #agroforestry

Some Indigenous communities, like the #Lenca people in #Honduras, know agroforestry simply as 'traditional technique.' Agroforestry—or the concept of growing crops in a way that mimics the forest and offers shade, protection, and nutrients—is such common practice there is no special name for it.

"Our lead for sustainable forest management, Emmanuelle Bérenger, explains the importance of Indigenous growing methods: 'By using #sustainable practices taught from one generation to another, [Indigenous peoples] actively safeguard forests, preserving biodiversity and keeping a delicate balance essential for both the environment and their own sustenance.' "

Learn more:
https://www.rainforest-alliance.org/insights/the-indigenous-roots-of-regenerative-agriculture/

#SolarPunkSunday #Intercropping #FoodForests #ProtectNature #ProtectBiodiversity

Traditional knowledge continues to influence many aspects of modern life, including healthcare, medicinal plants, education, research, and community development.

Preserving and understanding this knowledge can help future generations learn from practices that have been passed down over time.

Read more: https://patanjali-life.blogspot.com/2026/06/how-traditional-knowledge-continues-to-benefit-modern-society.html

#TraditionalKnowledge #Ayurveda #Education #Research #SustainableDevelopment #CommunityDevelopment

Why are quality standards and research important in Ayurveda?

Traditional knowledge, documentation, and research all contribute to preserving and advancing Ayurvedic knowledge for future generations.

Read more: https://patanjali-life.blogspot.com/2026/06/why-quality-and-research-are-important-in-ayurveda.html

#Ayurveda #TraditionalKnowledge #Research #QualityStandards #HolisticWellness

Why do medicinal plants remain important in today's world?

🌿 Traditional healthcare support
🌿 Natural product development
🌿 Scientific research
🌿 Biodiversity conservation
🌿 Sustainable rural livelihoods

This infographic highlights five reasons medicinal plants continue to be relevant today.

Learn more: https://acharyabalkrishna.com/pages/about-acharya-ji

#MedicinalPlants #Ayurveda #HerbalResearch #TraditionalKnowledge #Biodiversity

Ayurveda and yoga are increasingly being discussed together as part of holistic wellness, balanced living, and long-term well-being.

This article explores how Ayurveda, yoga, education, and social welfare can contribute toward holistic development in modern life: https://patanjali-life.blogspot.com/2026/05/ayurveda-yoga-and-holistic-development.html

#Ayurveda #Yoga #HolisticLiving #Wellness #TraditionalKnowledge

#Agroecology as the path to #ClimateResilient and just food systems

By Dr Susan Chomba, Director Food, Land and Water at World Resources Institute Africa

Monday, July 28, 2025 — updated on August 02, 2025

"The 2nd National Agroecology Symposium, held in Nairobi from July 10–11, 2025, marked a pivotal moment in #Kenya’s food systems transformation.

"The event brought together farmers, researchers, civil society, private sector actors, media, and policymakers with one clear message: Agroecology must move from the margins to the centre of national agricultural strategy. It is not just an alternative; it is the most viable path forward to achieve our intertwined goals for #people, #nature, and #climate—without compromising one for the other.
Agroecology offers a coherent framework for #RegeneratingSoils, producing safe and nutritious food, and building #ClimateResilient and #equitable #FoodSystems.

"As #ClimateChange intensifies, this approach provides Kenya and other #AfricanNations a powerful opportunity to lead a just transition—rooted in #LocalKnowledge, backed by #science, and responsive to the realities of #smallholder #farmers.

A crossroads for Kenya’s food systems

"Kenya’s food systems are at a crossroads. The dominant model—based on chemical-intensive agriculture and ultra-processed foods—is driving soil degradation, poor nutrition, increased prevalence of non-communicable diseases, and the pollution of our rivers and lakes. This model also contributes significantly to #biodiversity loss and #GreenhouseGasEmissions.

"Alternatively, a more resilient and #sustainable path is within reach—one that aligns human health with ecological integrity. But this transition cannot be left to smallholder farmers alone. It requires coordinated leadership from governments—particularly ministries of agriculture, health, environment, and finance—as well as development partners, scientists, and the private sector.

"Farmers should not be expected to feed a growing population and withstand escalating #ClimateShocks while being under-supported or misdirected by ineffective policies and subsidies. Without the right investments and incentives, we risk deepening the crisis.

What agroecology is—and isn’t

"Agroecology is too often misunderstood as a nostalgic return to low-productivity farming. In reality, it is a sophisticated, evidence-informed, and farmer-driven approach to transforming food systems in ways that are locally appropriate and ecologically sound. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but a dynamic practice that integrates scientific research with #TraditionalKnowledge.

"The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) outlines 10 elements of agroecology, while the High-Level Panel of Experts (HLPE) has identified 13 principles. These include #RecyclingNutrients, enhancing biodiversity, strengthening synergies, and co-creating knowledge."

Source [paywall]:
https://nation.africa/kenya/blogs-opinion/blogs/agroecology-as-the-path-to-climate-resilient-and-just-food-systems-5140556

Archived version:
https://archive.ph/QxY8u

#SolarPunkSunday #AgroEcology #FoodSecurity #Africa #ClimageChangeResiliency #SharingKnowledge

In other news...

Meet the 2024-2026 #NDN #Changemakers

By Jordynn Paz • March 5, 2025

"In October, NDN Collective announced the recipients of the 2024/26 Changemaker Fellowship, a cohort of 21 #Indigenous leaders from throughout #TurtleIsland, Islands of #Hawaii, #Borikén / #PuertoRico, the U.S. territories of American #Samoa, #Guam, the Northern #Mariana Islands, and the U.S. #VirginIslands. These incredible fellows are transforming their communities, defending Indigenous lands and waters, developing solutions for #regenerative and #sustainable futures, and revitalizing #IndigenousLanguages, #governance, #ceremonies and ways of being.

"We are honored to support the important and necessary work of each of these changemakers through this two-year fellowship program. With the NDN Changemaker Fellowship, individuals will focus on education, skill building, networking, community building, theory of change mapping, and mentorship."

Read more:
https://ndncollective.org/meet-the-2024-26-ndn-changemakers/

#TraditionalKnowledge #WaterIsLife #LandIsLife #SocialJustice #IndigenousHealth #IndigenousWellBeing #FoodSecurity #Decolonize #ProtectMotherEarth #LanguagePreservation #CulturePreservation #NDNCollective #IndigenousPeoplesDay

[Short film]: #Megadroughts and #IndigenousVoices

"The Southwestern United States is experiencing a megadrought, but this isn’t the first time people have survived one in the region. By highlighting ideas and practices from #Navajo tradition, this story by Native Outdoors of Colorado Plateau re-centers our relationship to water."

Watch:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i4rNcEnPk9Q&list=PLtiOgIRVt407KkUa7gtlkGIuTD5YU6bqT&index=7

#IndigenousKnowledge
#NativeAmericanHeritageMonth #ClimateChange #Dineh #Diné #WaterIsLife #IndigenousHistory #ClimateChangeSolutions
#PublicTelevision #WGBH #FilmSeries #LegacyOfTheLand #ClimateChange #ChangingClimate #IndigenousFilmmakers #NOVA #ClimateChange #TraditionalKnowledge #TEK #SolarPunkSunday #TraditionalGardening #NativeAmericanGardening #IndigenousPeoplesDay

Decolonizing the Map: Creating the Indigenous Mapping Collective

“For far too long Indigenous peoples have been excluded from the map. We’re changing that.”
- Steve DeRoy, Founder, Indigenous Mapping Workshop

April 01, 2021

"Mapping is a powerful tool that holds stories. But who controls the narrative? Historically, maps were created by professional cartographers, many of whom played a large role in #colonization. These maps have shaped the way many of us see the world today. Of course, that begs the questions, who or what is left out of the map and how can that be changed?

Reclaiming #IndigenousLands Through Mapping

"For many Indigenous communities, mapping plays a large role in reclaiming their lands. Mapping is not new to Indigenous peoples, in fact, some of the world’s earliest maps can be seen in cave paintings or heard in the stories that have been passed down through generations. Today many Indigenous communities across #TurtleIsland and beyond use cartographic mapping to track #TraditionalKnowledge of their lands and waters. These maps can show sacred sites, the paths of moose or caribou, the best areas to find a particular species of fish, where to pick traditional medicine and much more. Maps are often used when major projects such as mines or oil rigs are proposed on Indigenous land; they illustrate potential impacts these projects could have on the environment and the communities’ way of life."

Original link (404):
https://www.pbs.org/education/blog/decolonizing-the-map-creating-the-indigenous-mapping-collective

Archived version:
https://web.archive.org/web/20250121091945/https://www.pbs.org/education/blogs/trending/decolonizing-the-map-creating-the-indigenous-mapping-collective/

#Decolonize #Maps #IndigenousPeoplesDay

On the relative comfort of traditional vs modern homes in western sub-saharan Africa:

"A study on this subject was published in 2021 by Barabara Widera, an instructor of architecture from the Wrocław University of Science and Technology in Poland. The study found that during the hot season, 60-70% of the inhabitants of traditional dwellings found their homes to be thermally comfortable. However, in ‘modern houses,’ only 20% of inhabitants reported such comfort. During the cold seasons, comfort was reported by 90% of the inhabitants in traditional houses and only 50% of those who lived in modern housing."

https://finance.yahoo.com/news/10-countries-best-architecture-africa-211929905.html

#Architecture #ClimateChange #TraditionalKnowledge #TraditionalDesign #Adaptation

#GreenColonialism, Rights of Women and Languages: Priorities of #Indigenous in Reports for #UnitedNations

by #BrendaNorrell, #CensoredNews
April 27, 2024

NEW YORK -- "#FakeGreen projects, the removal of children from their homes, loss of languages, rise of hate speech, and war were among the top concerns cited in the reports by the U.N. Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues as it closed its ten-day session on April 26, 2024.

"The rights of women, the need to protect endangered languages and redress for victims of boarding and residential schools were also priorities in the Permanent Forum's reports prepared for the U.N. Economic and Social Council.

"Some of their concerns:

- #Inuit: Children Removed, Women Victims of Doctors

- Green Colonialism: Immediate Moratorium

- Loss of languages

- Rights of Women

The following are topics, "prepared by Censored News, from the draft documents prepared by the Permanent Forum for the U.N. Economic and Social Council." For full text of the draft documents, visit the link below.

- Increasing Violence and #HateSpeech Toward #IndigenousPeoples

- Free, Prior and Informed Consent

- War and Displacement

- #CrimeanTartar in Ukraine

- Central and #SouthAmerica and #Caribbean: Hate Speech

- #Australia: Harsh Incarceration and Suicides of Youths

- #NewZealand: Harsh Measures Against #Maori

- #US and #Canada #Line5

- Rights of #RapaNui People and #Kanuk

- #Honduras and #Indonesia

- #WestPapua

- #Bolivia

- #Pacific: Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women and Girls

- #Sami

- #Africa

- #BoardingSchools and #ResidentialSchools

- The Protection of Indigenous #Women and #Girls

- Indigenous young people

- Right to Remain in #Isolation

- #CriticalMinerals

- Protection of #Languages

- #IntellectualPropertyRights

https://bsnorrell.blogspot.com/2024/04/green-colonialism-rights-of-women-and.html

#NoLithiumMiningWithoutConsent #LithiumMining #CobaltMining #IndigenousPeoples #HumanRights #WaterIsLife #HumanRightsDefenders #IndigenousActivists #NoPipelines #NoDAPL #CorporateColonialism #RioTinto #SaveOakFlat #Genocide #CulturalGenocide #EnvironmentalRacism #ExtractiveMining #TraditionalLanguage #IndigenousLanguages #TraditionalKnowledge #IndigenousPeoplesDay