IDRC Reports Archives

PREVIOUS ISSUES: APRIL 1993 (Volume 21, Number 1)
INDIGENOUS AND TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE

Over centuries, indigenous people and farmers have developed their own region-specific knowledge and practices of agriculture, natural resource management, human and animal health, education, and many other subjects. This complex of knowledge, beliefs and practices is generally known as indigenous knowledge (IK) or traditional knowledge.

In recent years, interest about IK has grown, alongside recognition of its value for both aboriginal peoples and the industrialized world. Preserving IK is vital to the survival of the communities of aboriginal peoples and local farmers who acquired and protected this knowledge over generations. Support for indigenous and traditional knowledge could also serve as one measure of success in addressing issues of sustainable development. Indigenous peoples are the original practitioners of sustainable development, applying time-tested practices to establish an ecological balance with their environments.

Exchanges between indigenous peoples and Western - knowledge systems can be mutually beneficial. Virtually every scientific and social discipline can find valuable insights in the centuries-old knowledge base of indigenous peoples. Similarly, indigenous peoples are more than ready to discover what is useful in the West and apply it to their own needs. The two-way flow of knowledge can only strengthen our mutual capacities to inch closer to sustainable and equitable development.

Eileen Conway
Editor-in-Chief
IDRC Reports Magazine

Contents:

Knowledge, Change and the Preservation of Progress - The discourse on development should shift ground to embrace traditional cultural knowledge. Daniel A. Morales-Gomez

Indigenous Peoples Test the Waters - A Cree community in Northern Canada adopts scientific water-quality tests as part of its own knowledge base. Neale MacMillan

The Knowledge Path from Cree to Mapuche - Technology for cleaner water travels from one indigenous community of the Americas to another. Neale MacMillan

Recognizing Traditional Environmental Knowledge - A non-native researcher explores the value of indigenous knowledge for aboriginal communities and Western society. Deborah Carter

Threads of Common Knowledge - Indigenous knowledge is a common denominator of many disciplines that have a stake in sustainable development. Paul Icamina

Hi-tech Software Used to Control Malaria - New computer software plays a leading role in Brazil's plans to halt the resurgence of malaria. Kirsten McLeod

Water of Life - In Egyptian communities as elsewhere, women are central agents for improving hygiene and sanitation in water use. Craig Harris

Israeli and Palestinian Waters: Economics, Ecology and Equity - Adequate clean water is a vital commodity in both daily life and the peace process in the Middle East. David B. Brooks

The Mekong: From Tibet to the South China Sea - Development planning along the Mekong River is bolstered by newfound cooperation among countries in the region. Catherine Wheeler

BOOKS ON INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE FROM FROM IDRC:

Lore: Capturing Traditional Environmental Knowledge edited by Martha Johnson
IDRC & Dene Cultural Institute
1992, ISBN 0-88936-644-6, 200 p., CA$14.95.

Traditional Ecological Knowledge: Concepts & Cases edited by Julian T. Inglis
IDRC & the International Program on Traditional Ecological Knowledge
1993, ISBN 0-88936-683-7, 150 p., CA$14.95.

For more information on these and other IDRC titles, or to order, contact order@idrc.ca

ISSN 0315-9981 This magazine is listed in the Canadian Magazine Index.

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