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- Convenor:
-
Da-Wei Kuan
(National Cheng-Chi University)
Send message to Convenor
- Chair:
-
Da-Wei Kuan
(National Cheng-Chi University)
- Discussants:
-
Kurtis (Jai-Chyi) Pei
(Taiwan Wildlife Society)
Yih-Ren Lin
- Format:
- Traditional Open Panel
Short Abstract:
The collaboration between indigenous knowledge and modern science will broaden the horizon of human society and bring in new possibility. Meanwhile, it requires careful review and reshape of power relations in many aspects. This panel welcome presenters to share their experiences and reflections.
Long Abstract:
The Collaboration between indigenous knowledge and modern science is not just increasing the ability of human society in dealing with the complicating environment problems, but also providing the opportunity for decolonization and state-indigenous reconciliation. However, such a collaboration often encounters challenges in three aspects: 1) indigenous knowledge is very often required to be explained by modern science. It seems imply the superiority of modern science. But what are the limitations of scientific explanation? How can indigenous knowledge and modern science mutually recognize each other with the awareness of these limitations? 2) In the new process of knowledge production, what are the roles of indigenous knowledge holders and practitioners? Will their objectified, marginalized position in previous scientific researches be reproduced or overturned? 3) The bureaucratic system and modern science have been supporting each other and sustaining the governance regime. How can a new regime be created under existing bureaucratic logic and legal institutions? Aiming to advance the epistemological/methodological reflection of the collaboration between indigenous knowledge and modern Science, the panel welcome papers to share the experience and the discussion in regard to the three aspects of challenges addressed above.
Accepted papers:
Session 1Da-Wei Kuan (National Cheng-Chi University) Kurtis (Jai-Chyi) Pei (Taiwan Wildlife Society) Liang-yu Chen (National Cheng Chi University, Taiwan)
Short abstract:
This paper reveals the experience of ISSTP Project, and discusses how current governance regime can be changed. By demonstrating the example of establishing cross-cutural database for co-governance, It points out the challenges for collaboration, and the possible way to balance the power relations.
Long abstract:
The “Indigenous Sustainable Science and Technology Platform” (ISSTP) in Taiwan is established to develop the mechanism of multi-cultural collaboration, seek for better governance, and realize transformative justice. The purpose of this paper is to reveal the experience of ISSTP Project, and discuss how current state governance regime sustained by bureaucracy and modern science can be changed. The ISSTP Project includes the researches attempt to dialogue indigenous knowledge and modern science. Furthermore, it organized various meetings and workshops to facilitate the conversations between academic researchers, government officers, and indigenous community members, through which the solutions for certain development problems can be proposed. After reviewing the overall experience of the ISSTP Project, the paper points out the challenges for multi-cultural collaboration, and the possible way to balance the power relations. Furthermore, this paper demonstrates the example of establishing cross-cultural database for natural resources governance in the ISSTP project. In this example, indigenous community members, scholars and administrators are incorporated to conduct both Forest and intertidal zone monitoring. The outcome shows the mediation for the dialogue between different knowledge is important.
Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, Multi-cultural collaboration, Knowledge co-production, Natural resource governance
Chu Cheng Huang (National Tsing Hua University)
Short abstract:
This paper is to explore, though decisions of Taiwanese judicial system, the extent and context of the multiplicity of self-governance of indigenous polities to reveal their legitimate collective consent lies upon the recognition of multiplicity in political culture and collective identity.
Long abstract:
While lacking of treaty-oriented constitutional bondage, the real-life self-governance of indigenous polities in Taiwan is postulated and passively morphed into diversified patterns in line with their perspective cultural heritage. However, the Central Government promulgated bylaws allows single self-governance formulae. Only the resolutions adopted through her rectified indigenous organizations and process, i.e., the Tribal Congress, would be recognized as legitimate expression of the polities’ consent. Since from the exploitation of indigenous traditional title land and resources to human related researches all require prior informed consent of the interested indigenous polities under Indigenous Fundamental Law of 2005, the conflicts between formal and real-life self-governance escalated. Many sought for judicial resolution. This paper is intending to explore, though the court decisions of Taiwanese judicial system, the extent and context of the multiplicity of self-governance of indigenous polities on the island, so to reveal the legitimation of indigenous collective consent lies upon the recognition of their multiplicity in political culture, traditional customs, and personal and collective identity. The decisions favored indigenous peoples’ pleas also evidence the judicial review serves as an indivisible check-and-balance mechanism in such a postulated indigenous self-governance regime. The covering decisions include several landmark cases of the year 2023 adjudicated by different levels of administrative courts.
Alana Brekelmans (University of Queensland Charles Darwin University) Margaret Ayre (The University of Melbourne) Mavis Kerinaiua (Charles Darwin University)
Short abstract:
This paper explores our process of developing protocols for collaborative social-ecological research in an Indigenous-led transdisciplinary research project on the Tiwi Islands, Northern Australia.
Long abstract:
In this paper we reflect on our methodology of working with ‘The Turtuni Framework’ as an approach to collaborative cross-cultural planning for murrukupuni (country) and winga (salt water) on the Tiwi Islands, Northern Australia, where disparate knowledge traditions of sustainability science and Tiwi relational ontologies interact. In particular, we focus on the emergence of The Turtuni Framework from existing Tiwi philosophies and governance models of relationality as a means of exploring a vision for Indigenous-led transdisciplinary work. In doing so, we place contemporary academic discourse on composing, decomposing, and recomposing in conversation with Tiwi knowledge practices and politico-epistemics. We reflect on how the Turtuni Framework came to decompose and recompose our research, particularly our approach to engagement, reorientating our work within an indigenist framework.
Oliwia Olesiejuk (Adam Mickiewicz University)
Short abstract:
The purpose of this presentation is to illustrate how the process of selecting the GSSP candidate for the Anthropocene series at Crawford Lake, Canada, is intertwined with Indigenous traditions and practices, as well as non-Western epistemological approaches.
Long abstract:
In July 2023, the Anthropocene Working Group announced Crawford Lake in Canada as the Global Stratotype Section and Point (GSSP) of the Anthropocene. Crawford Lake, located in a conservation area, on land that historically belonged to the Wendat Indigenous community, was selected from sites around the world to determine the lower boundary or the beginning of the proposed geological time unit.
This study aims to show how contemporary Anthropocene research, following established stratigraphic procedures, is entangled with non-Western ontological and epistemological approaches, and incorporates Indigenous traditions and knowledge. The presentation outlines the research process at Crawford Lake, including the collection of core samples from the lake and the incorporation of Indigenous ceremonies; the procedures used to obtain permission to drill in the lake; the communication strategies used by Western researchers with Indigenous communities; and the attempts to respect the Wendats' relationship with the lake and the environment. It discusses the motivations of Western researchers working with Indigenous communities; the challenges of integrating Indigenous knowledge and practices, and the implications of recognizing Indigenous lands as central to global Anthropocene research. It also highlights the opportunities and risks associated with incorporating non-Western epistemological approaches into academic research.
I draw on in-depth interviews with Francine McCarthy, leader of the Crawford Lake site, and Monica Garvie, an Indigenous team member representing the Anishinaabe community; as well as participant observations made while attending events presenting the preliminary findings of the GSSP research at the HKW in Berlin in May 2021.
Symon Palmer (Te Herenga Waka Victoria University of Wellington) Alan King-Hunt (Victoria University of Wellington) Ocean Mercier (Victoria University of Wellington) Tere Porter-Rawiri
Short abstract:
We present research with Māori beekeepers to understand the acceptability of RNAi (gene silencing) within the socio-cultural landscape of Aotearoa New Zealand. The Māori worldview adds to current global ethical considerations and highlights opportunity for collaboration with Western science.
Long abstract:
Western science is historically problematic and harmful to Indigenous peoples globally. In Aotearoa New Zealand, Māori (the Indigenous peoples) are active in the developing collaboration between Western science and mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge). Facilitating this is government funded research programs like Ngā Koiora Tuku Iho / New Zealand’s Biological Heritage that embed Māori partnership into projects with the aim to reverse ecological decline and realize next-generation tools to manage invasive species. Our Māori research team explores the acceptability of novel genetic tools for the potential control of invasive invertebrate Varroa destructor which damage honeybee hives. RNAi (gene silencing) may offer a solution, however, like other controversial genetic techniques, its manipulation of fertility raises ethical concerns and questions for future applications. We examine these issues, centering the voices of Māori beekeepers, drawing on Kaupapa Māori methodology and the socio-political context of the settler-colonial state to analyze interview and survey data. Results show Māori interest and concern for novel tools are considered through the Māori worldview e.g., whakapapa (genealogy), kaitiakitanga (environmental stewardship), and tikanga (protocols). Our research shows that Māori voices present critical engagement with modern science while existing at the frontier of ecological decline and technological advancements. Understanding these conditions will produce insights that enhance the broader discussion on the ethical dilemmas that genetic technologies pose to society.