Introducing an Indigenous Perspective to Environmental Science

Introducing an Indigenous Perspective to Environmental Science

In fall 2021, Liz Dengate’s environmental science class explored different ways of knowing, cultural and biological diversity dynamics and how to sustain and give back to the ecosystems and values we hold dear. Her students studied topics such as indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, food webs, native plants, and the impact of cultural collisions through outdoor assignments and readings.

To enrich this learning experience, Liz secured a Knowles grant to bring Victor “Rocky” Makes Room for Them, Coordinator of the Medicine Wheel Health Program at The Center School, to speak with her students. In October, Rocky shared indigenous perspectives on southern Minnesota ecosystems, stories from elders, and insights into sustainability and reciprocity.

After his presentation, students reflected in small groups and wrote journal entries connecting Rocky’s talk to other class topics, including the “Four Central Concepts of Traditional Ecological Knowledge” and Braiding Sweetgrass readings. By the end of the trimester, traditional ecological knowledge and indigenous worldviews emerged as the most significant themes in their reflections. Seventy-three percent of students rated Rocky’s presentation as valuable or extremely valuable. As one student put it, “We stepped outside our westernized box and encountered the actual world.”

Liz wrote an article about this in our Spring 2024 Issue of Kaleidoscope.