The Value of Observations
Alaska Native peoples have developed a large storehouse of knowledge about their local environments, based on wisdom collected and shared over generations. This knowledge has been critical to survival. It is based upon detailed observations of winds; weather; storm frequency and intensity; climate; precipitation; water levels in lakes and rivers; animal populations and behaviors; and health of fish, wildlife, and vegetation. Alaska Native peoples understand properties, patterns, cycles, and interdependence in the natural world. This traditional knowledge is passed down, from generation to generation, through an oral tradition of stories and local lore. While Western science regularly uses precision instrumentation to collect data that can be compared mathematically, traditional knowledge tends to be less reliant on instrumentation and is more qualitative and holistic.
Divide into pairs to discuss these questions:
- Are you more familiar with Western scientific observations or Alaska Native observations? Why do you suppose that is? Can you think of times you use both in your life?
- What are the advantages of each approach?
- In what ways do you think the two types of observations can complement each other?
- Both Western and Alaska Native observers may make measurements, but they differ in their method. For example, an Alaska Native craftsman may build a kayak using measurements based directly on the paddler (such as the length of the forearm or width of two fingers). What type of measurements do you suppose a Western craftsman might use? What are the advantages of each of these types of measurement?
