Decentering Western Science
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By Haylee Backs, Sonia Santos, and Abby Whittington Western science often claims objectiveness, correctness, and “authenticity” however there is a long running history of violence and subversion of Indigenous peoples and Indigenous ways of knowing in the pursuit of scientific knowledge. Conversations with Darron Vogt, Resource Management Division Director of the 1854 Treaty Authority, Lisa Holst, an aquatic biologist at NYS Department of Environmental Conservation, and Dr. Deondre Smiles, a postdoc at Ohio State University teaching a course on Indigenous Environmental Activism, underscore the importance of reflecting on the history of western science as well as reimagining what science looks like through Indigenous relational ways of knowing. The nature of scientific research and its relationship with the Ojibwe Nation and St. Regis Mohawk tribe and its work with the federal government and state governments reveals the ways in which present-day scientific knowledge incorporates community based knowledge in order to become more holistic.  This figure, drawn from p. 9 of the 1854 Treaty Authority Climate Action Plan, was a strong inspiration for this podcast as we reimagine the scientific method. Resources that informed this podcast1854 Treaty Authority Climate Action Plan Kawe Gidaa-naanaagadawendaamin Manoomin – We Must First Consider Maoomin project “The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe announce first-ever state-tribal partnership for area of concern on U.S. side of Great Lakes” from Indian Country Today Key words: science, community based research, Ojibwe Nation, St. Regis Mohawk Tribe, 1854 Treaty Authority, New York State Department of Environmental Conservation |