Module 2

How does knowledge of natural systems inform our understanding of cultural systems?

Throughout history, our natural systems have been changing and evolving.  It would be ignorant to say that this doesn't affect other systems in our world including the local cultural systems.  People are adaptable and must be in order to keep up with our ever changing world.  When we understand these natural systems, we can directly relate it to the cultural systems of an area and draw some conclusions of why and how people react and relate to their environment.   


In Southeast Alaska, the local cultures rely on our natural systems and subsistence living in order to live and survive.  For example, the Tlingit and Haida tribes of our area have survived for generations living on what the ocean and lands provide.  When our natural systems change such as climate, weather patterns, and rising and lowering water levels, this directly affects the fishing and hunting patterns of the tribes.  


The following website explains the history, culture, and means of living for the Tlingit and Haida tribes here in Southeast Alaska.  It provides a great overview of how the cultures live and how they have evolved throughout their changing environments.  


Tlingit and Haida History

I also found another great essay on how climate change affects the natural and cultural systems of an area. 


Climate Effects on Natural and Cultural Systems

What are some differences between traditional Native knowledge and Western science?

Living in Southeast Alaska has helped me understand the differences between traditional Native knowledge and Western knowledge through the explanations of my students.  My Kindergarteners are extremely honest and give heart felt explanations for why things happen the way they do.  I have had numerous occasions where you can tell the differences in Native thought versus someone who is not Native.  


My Native children explain why some things happen in relation to stories they have heard from their grandparents, elders, community members etc. while some of my non Native students explain it through means of science or learned knowledge.  For example, when studying weather, I asked my students where the rain comes from.  One of my little girls raised her hand and started to explain the process of evaporation in her own words (water from the ocean flows up to the sky and then it comes out as rain again etc.)  This answer was highly scientific for her age, but somewhere she had learned this concept before.  I then asked if anyone else had another explanation.  One of my native students then raised his hand and said that the Earth gives us rain to help things grow.  


This was the absolute clearest difference between Native knowledge and Western science.  Western science demands to know facts, processes, and documented studies and evidence, where Native knowledge sometimes only demands a one or two word answer based on oral traditions and stories passed down throughout generations.  Sometimes, we do not need to know why, but rather accept it as the natural phenomenon that it is.   







             
                Western View

 






            Native View

Evaluation

This weeks Module was quite a bit more extensive than the first.  However, I still feel that the layout was still pretty easy to follow most times.  I did have to revisit the blog pages multiple times to make sure I had been to all of the links and required readings but I still managed!  It was very interesting to review the different natural occurrences that have happened throughout Alaska's history such as all of the volcanic activity and earthquakes.  I always find it interesting to see the interconnectedness of things and this Module clearly led to this type of knowledge and understanding.