Introduction

Indigenous knowledge is a set of observations, oral and written knowledge, practices and beliefs, and new knowledge that promote the responsible use of natural resources through strong relationships between people and their landscapes. During group meetings, Elders in Indigenous communities discuss new ideas and later implement them, and the “new ideas” eventually become part of the group’s Indigenous knowledge. Indigenous knowledge is at the heart of all the practices that Indigenous communities observe in the lands and territories where they live.

Indigenous Peoples have developed their knowledge systems over millennia, and they continue to practise the knowledge and skills they have acquired from direct contact with the environment, long-term — that is, per generation, or 40–50 years — experiences, extensive observations and lessons learned. Their practices are both relevant and beneficial to modern-day humans and can be adapted quite easily to suit varying needs.

Outcomes

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:

• identify Indigenous practices that could be adapted for a modern context.
• identify the benefits of adapting Indigenous practices and encouraging their use.
• develop the skills you need to play a role in total biomass utilisation.

Terminology

Precautionary:  Describes an action to prevent something unpleasant or dangerous from happening.

Regeneration:  Formation of new plant or animal tissue.

Encroach:  To intrude on someone’s or something’s territory or rights.

Unfelled:  Not cut down.

Ancestral:  Belonging to, or inherited from, family or community members from earlier generations.

Sustain:  To support an activity or action so that it keeps going.

Scarecrow:  An object that resembles a human figure and is used to scare birds away from a field where crops are growing.