Aboriginal Concepts of Science and Technology

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Aboriginal Concepts of Science and Technology

• Traditional Knowledge and World-view

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Aboriginal Nations and Cultures

• Nearly 400 distinct Aboriginal cultures in North
  America
• 5 predominant philosophical groupings
• High North (Inuit, Deneh, etc.)
• Northeast (Anishinaabe, Haudenosaunee, Lene
  Lenape, Cree, etc.)
• Plains (Lakota, Cheyenne, Arapaho, etc.)
• Pacific (Haida, Tsimshian, Kwakiutl, etc.)
• Southwest (Navajo, Hopi, Apache, etc.)

3
Anishinaabe Philosophy

• Who are the Anishinaabe?
• Where do they come from?
• Where are they now?
• What are the dominant spiritual and philosophical
  traditions?
• Midewiwin (The Way of the Good Heart)
• Jiisakaan (Shaking Tent)
• Jiibaywigaan (Ghost Lodge)
• Chinshinaabe (The Great-Good Ones)

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Map of Anishinaabe Territories
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Concepts and Perspectives

• The term "Aboriginal"
• Autohistory and ethics in the process of
  discussion
• Premises and Assumptions (Western and Aboriginal)
• Human and non-human beings
• Animate and inanimate
• Physical and Supra-Physical (Spiritual)
• Aboriginal peoples as the "caretakers" of Turtle
  Island

• A different kind of worldview
• Spirit
• Sacredness
• Relationships
• A different understanding of science, technology
  and research
• Traditions and Ethical Responsibilities
• Natural Law and Original Instructions
• Reciprocity
• Living life on a day-to-day-basis

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Traditional Cultural Codes

• The Way of a Good Life
• Mino Bimaadiziwin
• The First Human Being
• Anishinaabe
• Naming the World
• Clans
• The Great Circle
• Being Good and Doing Good.