Get reliable science

Partnerships that cross cultural lines can be rewarding and enlightening, but they can also present challenges and complications. Issues of trust, respect and reliable consultation are critical, but many researchers struggle in finding common ground with co-investigators. This is especially the case in partnerships involving Native communities and state or federal agencies. One excellent way of finding common ground when working with Native Americans, is to familiarize oneself with the scientific methodologies and histories that have been a part of oral traditions for generations. Native Science or “Native Ways of Knowing” can provide new methods and novel ways of knowing and understanding the environment. This talk will provide background on Native Science and examples of the ways in which this knowledge continues to contribute to our understanding of the world.