Our plants, our land: bridging aboriginal generations through cross-cultural plant workshops

• Published in: Polar geography (1995) Vol. 35; no. 3-4; pp. 195 - 210
• Main Authors: Cuerrier, Alain, Downing, Ashleigh, Johnstone, Jill, Hermanutz, Luise, Siegwart Collier, Laura, Elders and Youth Participants of Nain and Old Crow
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis Group 01.09.2012; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Native peoples; Northern communities; PN, Arctic; Canada, Newfoundland, Labrador, Nain
• ISSN: 1088-937X; 1939-0513
• DOI: 10.1080/1088937X.2012.684156

Changes in subsistence practices have negatively affected the social and economic structure of aboriginal communities across the Arctic. This has resulted in fewer opportunities for the transmission of traditional knowledge (TK). This article provides two case studies of how researchers can assist northern communities in TK transmission and provide a venue for science and TK to meet, thereby fostering a positive relationship between scientists and aboriginal communities. Cross-cultural workshops engaging youth, Elders and researchers were held in Old Crow (Yukon, western Canada) and in Nain (Nunatsiavut, eastern Canada) on the traditional uses and naming of plants. Hands-on activities on the land garnered interest in TK and science among aboriginal youth. Elders and researchers worked together to place importance on TK, fostering pride and helping to strengthen ties for the maintenance of cultural identity. For example, learning the local names of plants, their uses, and how to properly create herbarium specimens of plants engaged youth in the scientific process while illustrating the importance of TK shared by their Elders. Here we show how maintaining an interactive dialogue with communities helps researchers keep their work relevant and meaningful for communities and catalyzes continued interest in the transfer of knowledge.