I wrote a diary on the rise of cancers among First Nations peoples for this last Monday Night Cancer Club. It sparked quite the conversation. I learned that there is also a misconception that the First Nations peoples had no sense of "science," as defined by a couple of commenters generally as the mode of study wherein a person formulates a hypothesis, builds a study and then publishes that study and it's finding for peer review. This style of science comports with how most Westerners are taught to view "science," and is one version of science. But, it is not the only version of science.
For centuries, many First Nations peoples have practiced their own version of science, based on observation and testing of hypotheses based on observations. Many First Nations peoples have had very able scientists on a wide range of disciplines. Some First Nations peoples employed these scientific findings to increase agricultural harvests, increase the efficiency of hunting practices and even woven them into traditions as to how to live more in concert with their environments.
For example, if one wanted to learn how to walk better in deep snow, one looked at those animals who best moved across deep snow. The snowshoe was invented after watching how hares and other animals moved across deep snow, as they had adapted specialized coping mechanisms in order to better survive. Humans then applied that knowledge to make devices that broadened their own feet to make locomotion on top of the snow easier.
Another example is that First Nations peoples learned how to set intentional fires to clear areas for cultivation of certain plants. They most likely watched wildfires burn and then watched to see which plants benefited from these burns. After some trial and error, they then applied burning techniques for their own use in agriculture.
It strikes me as the height of hubris to think that only Western sciences matter or are valid. After all, Western scientific practices are relative new-comers to the history of any peoples anywhere in the world. While it is true that Western sciences have a rigid structure and are deemed, by Westerners, to be the best way to frame scientific findings, these sciences are also relatively new and rely heavily on ancient teachings about how to do things.
Agriculture is one such area in which modern scientific findings are relying on old techniques. For a long time, in Western culture, it has been thought that one must assiduously till and break apart soils before proper planting can take place. It is "Farming 101," to most Western minds. Now, there has been a shift in that thinking and going back to old farming styles much more akin to how First Nations peoples worked the land for certain crops. I think the Germans are playing around with tilling less and with different equipment that leaves more soil intact and undisturbed. New, modern farming equipment is being developed to more closely mimic ancient farming practices. If I remember correctly, I think I read this in The Omnivore's Dilemma.
Most First Nations peoples practiced this idea long before Europeans introduced "modern farming." From my own observations of traditional planting practices, the soil were prepared very simply -- a series of holes were dug in a clearing, fertilizer was added and the seeds were planted. Minimal disturbance to the surrounding soil -- no major clearing was needed as is often the case in corporate farming practices. As such, the soil maintained a certain integrity, the beneficial flora and fauna were kept and the need for additional labor was negated as the beneficial flora and fauna did most of that work already.
From my own experience, recycling leaf litter and other yard debris in the form of mulch not only keeps down weeds, but also seems to have beneficial effects on the desired plants. While I tend my non-edibles by loosening the soil every so often, I tend to do so only to remove unwanted plants from my beds. I also tend to not disturb the leaf litter from last year, unless it is to blend it into the existing soil around my plants. My roses, irises, hollyhocks, rhododendrons and azaleas seem to be thriving, even though the soil when I moved in about 5 years was overextended and overworked. I have rebuilt some of the soil over the years, and now have rich, dark soil perfect for my plants. I have fewer destructive insects and plenty of beneficial insects throughout my yard.
Other physical sciences were employed by First Nations peoples to improve hunting gear. Arrow heads were perfected over generations, spears and atlatl were refined and became specialized for particular game gathering purposes. Harpoon heads were modified and diversified. Bows were experimented with until they were properly adapted to a specific region (you would not use a big, long bow in dense undergrowth -- that would be unwieldy) or for specific use (you'd use a different bow to go after, say, a deer than you would to go after a buffalo). Fishing nets and weirs were adapted for different types of fishing. Boats were adapted for different types of water travel. Snares were modified for size of prey. Clothing was modified for region and general weather conditions. And the list goes on.
Social sciences were also necessary as various peoples came together to trade. Knowing a little about anthropology was necessary when dealing with other peoples so as to get the best deals or settle disputes. Sociology was important for maintaining peace and harmony within a community. Communication skills were needed for diplomacy and trade. Linguistics was needed to better understand what idea one person may try to convey to the community. Political science was necessary when different bands of peoples came together and joined with different tribes of peoples -- like the Iroquois Nation: balancing out the cultural differences with the cultural similarities to form one Nation took quite a bit of diplomacy and cooperation. Gender studies was generally understood to be part of what it was to be human. History was kept by the elders and passed on to younger generations.
From a First Nations' perspective, our elders are our professors, and even they are constantly learning and applying their accumulated knowledge to current lessons. They are always "publishing" peer reviewed words of wisdom, discussing what they remember and what they observe with other members of the communities in which they live. The stories these elders tell have many lessons about how to live more in balance, in more harmony, how to be better humans, how to maintain traditional worldviews while navigating current events.
Book learning is just as important as oral traditions. Western sciences can learn much from traditional sciences, and vice versa. No one culture is both the alpha and the omega, no one culture is "better" than any other. We are all in this together and wouldn't it go much more smoothly if we all worked together?
* Added the word "do" to the title.