Local Knowledge Research Articles

Intersections of forensics and Indigenous peoples for future bi-cultural research

ABSTRACT Forensic science has a complex and often oppressive intersection with Indigenous peoples, which influences their access to and involvement in forensic services and research. This review explores the historical context of this intersection, and the ongoing impacts of colonization and past research on Indigenous communities. We propose a framework for bi-cultural research that respects and supports Indigenous rights, values and knowledge, and aims to achieve equitable and appropriate forensic outcomes for Indigenous peoples. We also suggest increasing the diversity and cultural awareness of forensic practitioners and developing trusting and respectful relationships with Indigenous communities. By learning from the past, we can create a more inclusive and collaborative forensic science for the future.

Sustaining livelihoods and building resilience: Policy implications for the Lower Mekong Basin

The diverse agricultural landscape in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) encompasses vulnerable smallholder farmers, whose livelihoods are exposed to the impacts of natural hazards, environmental degradation and climate change. This paper aims to understand the vulnerability and risk drivers to agricultural livelihoods in the LMB and the existing capacities, policies and strategies to strengthen livelihoods. The inherent capacities (capitals) of these communities have helped them withstand and cope with the impacts of natural and anthropogenic stressors on their livelihoods. Skills, training and indigenous knowledge complemented by social networks and co-operatives are crucial to human and social capital. Similarly, water management, irrigation infrastructure, and demarcation and protection of natural resources have helped reduce potential impacts on agricultural activities and outputs. These are supported through financial instruments such as grants, subsidies and loans. On the other hand, while extant policies and strategies in LMB countries acknowledge the vital role of agriculture in socioeconomic development, the utilisation of robust assessment frameworks pertaining to livelihood resilience is limited. This paper discusses the potential advantages of incorporating integrated livelihood resilience assessments in current policies, which can help in designing context-specific strategies and optimise resource allocation for sustainable livelihood development in the LMB. However, to ensure robust assessments, stakeholders must harmonise assessment frameworks, promote community engagement, enhance data availability and strengthen institutional collaboration.

Indigenous ethnomedicinal knowledge of inhabitants of Neelan valley, district Abbottabad, KPK, Pakistan

The indigenous knowledge of utilizing medicinal plants for the treatment of various ailments in very ancient and emerges under the influence of culture in each society. The culture of Pakistan is very rich in utilizing medicinal plants to cure various diseases. The current study was conducted to collect the indigenous knowledge from the local community regarding the utilization of native plant species for the cure of different diseases. The study was carried out in the Neelan Valley, Abbottabad, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The method used in the current study for documentation of the indigenous knowledge and traditional uses of important medicinal plants was based on questionnaires and personal interviews during field visits. A total of 350 informants, including 216 males and 134 females were interviewed for their traditional knowledge of medicinal plants used for various diseases and their knowledge regarding different folklores. As a result of interviews, 42 important medicinal plant species belonging to 32 families including 12 trees, 13 shrubs and 17 herbs were documented. The ethnomedicinal record was produced by listing the local and botanical name, plant family, habit, parts used and ethnomedicinal uses/folklores. The most frequent plant parts used for the aforementioned purpose were leaves, flowers, seeds and whole plants. Most of plants were used against digestive/gastrointestinal and respiratory disorders, jaundice, diabetes, rheumatism etc., as well as for antipyretic and anthelmintic purposes. It was observed that indigenous knowledge of herbal folklores is commonly used in the area to control various diseases, but is mostly confined to elderly people, while younger population is less aware of this knowledge due to altering socio-cultural trends in the area of study.

Students’ experiences of placements in urban indigenous health contexts: developing a culturally responsive workforce

BackgroundA culturally responsive health workforce is essential to ensure the delivery of culturally safe health services that meet Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples needs. In partnership with universities, placement providers play an essential role in creating opportunities for immersive experiences that enable students to develop their cultural responsiveness. This study evaluated students’ experiences of an innovative student placement model embedded within an urban Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community-Controlled Health Organisation.MethodsStudents completed pre and post placement surveys administered using a web-based interface. The surveys involved five-point Likert and open-ended response items exploring students’ perceptions of their knowledge, skills development, awareness and self-development, and overall placement experience. Frequencies were calculated for the variables of interest and compared between pre and post surveys. The sign test for matched pairs was used to calculate differences between pre and post surveys, and a one-sided hypothesis test was utilised to determine if the level of agreement increased from pre to post survey. Qualitative data obtained for seven questions were thematically analysed using Groundwater Method, an Indigenous data analysis technique.ResultsBetween January 1, 2017, and June 30, 2019, 938 students from 32 disciplines were placed within the organisation and its Member services. Survey responses were received from 338 participants pre-placement, and 158 participants post-placement. The matched pre-post group contained 81 students. The results indicate significant positive changes in cultural responsiveness, skills development, awareness, and self-development when comparing pre- and post-placement responses. Students’ overall satisfaction with the quality of their placement was positively associated with their intention to work in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health contexts in the future. Key pre-placement themes included competence, cultural skills, support and fear, and key post-placement themes included expertise, cultural responsiveness, learning environment and challenges.ConclusionsIndigenous-led, regionally coordinated placements in urban Indigenous health contexts can support transformative learning and the development of a culturally responsive workforce. Universities should aim to develop reciprocal relationships with Indigenous-led organisations to support students to develop their cultural responsiveness and improve the provision of culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. Future research should explore the longer-term impacts of student placements on cultural responsiveness, attitudes, values, and behaviours, as well as the experiences of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples interfacing with university students on placement in urban settings.NoteWe will predominantly use the term ‘Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples’, as opposed to ‘Indigenous’ or ‘First Nations’. When the term ‘Indigenous’ is used, it largely relates to government policy - except when referring to Indigenisation of curriculum and Indigenous Knowledges - and where ‘First Nations’ is used, it is in a global context. In addition, we use the term ‘Peoples’ to signify that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples are not one People or Nation, but a collective of Peoples and Nations.

The World Intellectual Property Organization Treaty on genetic resources and traditional knowledge: Implications for plant science

Societal Impact StatementThe recently adopted World Intellectual Property Organization Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (“WIPO Treaty”) is the latest in a series of international legal frameworks designed to strike an appropriate balance between access to genetic and knowledge resources, and their utilization. This opinion piece argues that although the WIPO Treaty is an important milestone in international lawmaking related to the protection of Indigenous peoples' knowledge and resources, it is unlikely to significantly alter extant scientific practices. Therefore, more work will still need to be done to ensure equity in the development of plant‐based innovations.SummaryConcerns about the sourcing of materials and information used in plant breeding and related scientific fields have been widespread for decades. Generally, these preoccupations are rooted in historical and ongoing inequalities, particularly the fact that the benefits resulting from scientific and commercial exploitation of genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge are rarely shared with the people and communities from which they originate. Since the early 1990s, multiple international treaties and national laws have been designed to address concerns over the misappropriation of genetic resources and traditional knowledge, creating a complex web of legal obligations that scientists and research administrators need to navigate. Most recently, in May 2024 the members of the World Intellectual Property Organization adopted a Treaty on Intellectual Property, Genetic Resources and Associated Traditional Knowledge (“WIPO Treaty”, 2024). This opinion piece focuses on the new WIPO Treaty and examines its likely impact on plant breeding and other scientific fields that rely on plant genetic resources. Ultimately, the article argues that the WIPO Treaty is unlikely to add significant impediments to the work of scientists beyond the requirements already imposed under the Convention on Biological Diversity (“CBD”) and its Nagoya Protocol. However, the WIPO Treaty likely will result in the introduction of new administrative requirements for patent filing in many jurisdictions, which may create additional burdens for research administrators, such as personnel in university technology transfer offices.

How do farming practices influence the richness and floristic composition of weeds in some Mexican maize fields?

The milpa is a historically successful Mesoamerican agroecosystem, consisting of a mixture of cultivated plants with associated vegetation that is partially managed. Conventional farming practices, like weeding and fertilization, have modified some ecological parameters of weeds, affecting their ecological, evolutionary, cultural, and productive roles. This study explores these changes from various perspectives: field experiments in fields with different management histories, contrasting treatments within these fields, farmer interviews and field walks, in San Bartolo del Llano, Ixtlahuaca, Mexico. A field experiment in milpas with different histories of farming practices (traditional vs conventional) was conducted to understand (a) the effect of the history of farming practices on richness, composition, and biomass of aboveground weed vegetation and the seed bank, (b) the effect of contrasting weeding treatments within these fields on the biomass of weeds and maize, and (c) farmers’ traditional knowledge and use of these plants. Farming practices did not affect species richness (43 species) of the aboveground weed vegetation, but a history of herbicide use increased monocot biomass and reduced useful weeds. More introduced monocots were recorded in conventionally managed fields; manual weeding led to more species, including more monocots and dicots, a higher biomass of weeds, and more native and exotic species. The composition differed between plots with different farming practices and treatments. The seed bank contained more species (54) than the aboveground vegetation. Maize ears’ and total biomass were somewhat higher in conventionally treated fields, but no differences were found between treatments. We found a considerable species turnover, with some species disappearing or becoming rare, particularly useful ones, and others being introduced‚ particularly grasses. Traditional management can help farmers keep useful weeds and higher biodiversity, thus contributing to overall productivity. Though herbicides reduce labor requirements, improved management should combine the benefits of traditional farming with some modernization.

Traditional knowledge and medicinal practices related to the use of Wild Olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata) in Central Ethiopia: An ethnobotanical perspective

Traditional knowledge and medicinal practices related to the use of Wild Olive (Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata) in Central Ethiopia: An ethnobotanical perspective

Indigenous ecological knowledge and the usage of medicinal plants in Polavaram Mandal of Andhra Pradesh, India

Indigenous ecological knowledge and the usage of medicinal plants in Polavaram Mandal of Andhra Pradesh, India

Barriers and supports for Indigenous youth and young adults with childhood- onset chronic health conditions transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare: a qualitative study

BackgroundThis study examined the experiences of Indigenous youth and young adults with pediatric onset chronic health conditions who had or were about to transition from pediatric to adult healthcare services. Transition is the process by which youth develop the knowledge and self-management skills needed to manage their health condition, ideally beginning around age 12–13 and continuing until the mid-20s. There is a growing body of literature on healthcare transition, but there is an absence of literature on Indigenous youth, who face additional barriers to accessing healthcare relative to non-Indigenous Canadians. The primary objective of this study was to identify the supports and barriers for Indigenous youth with childhood-onset chronic health conditions transitioning from pediatric to adult healthcare services.MethodsThe research was done in the province of Alberta, Canada, in collaboration with a Community Advisory Committee comprised of Indigenous healthcare providers, Elders and Knowledge Keepers and guided by a community-based participatory research approach. Semi-structured qualitative interviews (n = 46) were conducted with Indigenous youth, caregivers, and healthcare providers. There were three Talking Circles, two for youth (9 participants) and one for caregivers (6 participants). Three research assistants coded the transcripts thematically using NVivo. The key findings were presented to the Community Advisory Committee for feedback to validate the interpretation of the qualitative data.ResultsThe thematic findings include: (1) systemic inequalities exacerbate gaps in healthcare; (2) intergenerational trauma created unique barriers for Indigenous youth; (3) long-term relationships with care providers as a protective factor; (4) the incorporation of Indigenous worldviews into healthcare services to aid transition; and (5) assuming new responsibilities as an adult. The participants provided recommendations to improve healthcare service delivery including the need for Indigenous transition supports in community and improving education for healthcare practitioners about transition and Indigenous worldviews.ConclusionThis study demonstrates the complexity of the transition experience for Indigenous youth with pediatric onset chronic health conditions. The identified barriers to successful transition could be addressed through systems level changes and the development of Indigenous specific transition support services. Such approaches need to be Indigenous-led and incorporate Indigenous culture, language, and teachings.

Ethnoarchaeology of Livelihood Practices: Report on the International Conference in Barcelona, 16–18 October 2024

The international conference Ethnoarchaeology of Livelihood Practices: Exploring the Nexus of Food Production, Resource Management and Sustainability was hosted at Universitat Pompeu Fabra in Barcelona, Spain, from October 16th to 18th, 2024. This event was co-organized by Spanish and Italian institutions and funded by the project CAMP – (Re)Constructing the Archaeology of Mobile Pastoralism and the Department of Humanities of Universitat Pompeu Fabra. The conference gathered a diverse group of participants, including esteemed experts in ethnoarchaeology and enthusiastic early-career researchers, who attended both in-person and online. The case studies and more general discussion papers covered four main topics: (1) reflections on the discipline, (2) Traditional Ecological Knowledge, (3) pastoralism and (4) social aspects of food and resources. A key point emphasized in several presentations was the importance of including and involving local communities, which was encouraged as a vital component for future collaborations.

A Critical Review on Advancing Preventive Health Research in Ayurveda: Strategic Approaches and Imperatives

Preventive health research in Ayurveda offers valuable strategies for disease prevention and health promotion, particularly in the context of modern health challenges such as non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and pandemics like COVID-19. This review critically examines strategic approaches for advancing preventive health research within Ayurveda, emphasizing the need for evidence-based validation, integration with modern scientific methodologies, and global collaboration. Key practices, including Rasayana therapy, Dinacharya, and Ritucharya, demonstrate significant potential in enhancing immunity, promoting longevity, and mitigating lifestyle-related ailments. However, challenges such as limited clinical evidence, standardization issues, and underutilization of advanced research tools hinder progress. Addressing these challenges through rigorous clinical trials, interdisciplinary research, and policy advocacy can ensure Ayurveda’s relevance in contemporary healthcare systems. The integration of traditional Ayurvedic knowledge with modern scientific approaches will enhance the global applicability of Ayurveda in preventive health.

Mountain cartography of Hokkaido in the nineteenth century

Abstract. The nineteenth century was a period of profound cultural and environmental change on the island of Hokkaido, Japan. It was also a period when Japanese cartographers began to incorporate Western methods of terrain representation into their maps. This article sketches a preliminary chronology of Hokkaido maps in order to document changes in methods of terrain representation over this period and to connect mountain cartography to the island’s history of cultural and environmental change. Distinctive patterns of terrain representation in early maps include horizon strip diagrams and portraits of distinguished mountains with shifting orientations and abundant white space. After the middle of the century, Japanese cartographers began incorporating Western methods of terrain representation, including hachures, waterlines, and contours. These changes in terrain representation also reflect shifting purposes of maps that include claiming territory, remembering indigenous knowledge, and systematic planning of cultural and environmental change.

Adaptation in adversity: innovative approaches to food security amidst COVID-19 in a remote First Nations community in Canada

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated food insecurity issues in geographically isolated communities, including Fort Albany First Nation (FAFN). This research examines FAFN’s adaptive strategies to improve food security, highlighting community resilience and leadership. Data were gathered through semi-structured interviews with 20 community members who were involved in the pandemic response, either as members of the pandemic committee or as managers of community programs. Thematic analysis revealed significant adaptation of existing programs and the establishment of new initiatives to address food security during the pandemic. Initiatives, such as the community garden and the Fort Albany Farmers Market were food security programs that existed prior to the pandemic, and despite labor shortages during the pandemic, logistical hurdles were addressed to maintain operations and enhance food distribution efficiency. New emergency food initiatives, backed by government support and community efforts, successfully delivered food to vulnerable households. Traditional subsistence activities, such as hunting and fishing, were essential for providing sustenance and strengthening community resilience. These adaptive strategies highlight the critical role of local leadership, community participation and ingenuity, and the utilization of Indigenous knowledge in overcoming food security challenges during crises. This paper underscores the need to support Indigenous food sovereignty and build resilient local food systems tailored to the unique needs of First Nations communities. The experiences of FAFN during the COVID-19 pandemic provide invaluable insights into the resilience and innovation required to improve food security in remote and vulnerable populations, emphasizing the need for sustained investment and policy support in these communities.

Rooted in Tradition: Exploring the Integration of Local Wisdom with Sustainability and Education for Future Research

Purpose: This research aims to bridge the gap between traditional practices and modern educational frameworks by identifying key themes that categorize and summarize the main aspects of local wisdom in existing literature, examining the evolution of research on local wisdom over time with a focus on its intersection with sustainability and education, and suggesting areas for further research that can enhance the understanding and application of local wisdom in contemporary contexts. Design/Methodology/Approach: This research is a qualitative study utilizing a literature review method, supported by Search Engine for Articles and Knowledge Maps to identify under-researched topics, particularly in the field of local wisdom in the tourism context. Findings: In conclusion, the body of research underscores the transformative potential of local wisdom in enhancing cultural preservation, fostering sustainable development, empowering communities, improving education, and promoting effective environmental stewardship. By integrating traditional knowledge across various sectors such as governance, tourism, fisheries management, and agriculture, communities can reinforce their regional identity while addressing the challenges posed by globalization and modernization. This integration not only supports ecological sustainability but also encourages a sense of ownership and responsibility towards cultural heritage. The limitations and future research diection will we discussed.

Traditional knowledge of medicinally important plants among the Torwali community of Hinduraj areas of Northern Pakistan

Traditional knowledge of medicinally important plants among the Torwali community of Hinduraj areas of Northern Pakistan

Potential materials for teaching akhlak tasawuf based on West Kalimantan's local wisdoms

This research aims to reveal various potential teaching materials for Sufism Morals courses that are available, and are original from the West Kalimantan region. This is important, in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of Sufism in the West Kalimantan region, such as the typology, characteristics, personalities and teachings that are exclusive to Sufism figures. The method used in this study is qualitative with a philological hermeneutic approach. Based on the results of philological analysis of classical books found by researchers, the following conclusions are obtained: Firstly, in West Kalimantan, as well as known that many books of Sufism founded, i.e., The Book of Nashihat Zaman the work of Sharif Shaleeh al-Idrus; The Book of Syarah al-Hikam written by Sheikh Muhammad As'ad Selakau; The Manuscript of Hajj Abdul Malik Krui; The Book of Zikir Tauhidiyah by Syeikh Ismail Mundu, etc. Secondly, these books show that since a long time ago the Sufism was established in West Kalimantan. Thirdly, the result from a parallel content analysis indicated that the Sufism course's teaching material had not raised a lot of local knowledge only, but the potential material show from various aspects, i.e., the History of Sufism, the figure of Sufis, moral teachings, and Sufism manuscripts.

Reckoning with the Legacy of Land-Grant University Libraries, Archives, and Special Collections as Ventures of Pioneer Veneration

Land-grant colleges and universities in the United States, and by extension their libraries and archives, seek to uphold a three-part mission of teaching, research, and service, while also focusing on equality of access, regardless of class. The admirability of that mission, however, is tempered by “genesis amnesia,” where, as Pierre Bourdieu and Jean-Claude Passeron say, “societies cover up or erase the origins of policies or institutions in order to obfuscate the social constructions that underlie them.” Other former settler colonies, such as Canada, maintain similarly structured and afflicted colleges and universities. For many institutions, the terms “land-grant,” or in Canadian contexts “land-endowed” or “land-financed,” act as a veneer, covering up and at times venerating an extractive and traumatic process by which Indigenous peoples were dispossessed of their lands. In this reflective case study, we define pioneer veneration as a symptom of colonialism and describe recent efforts to challenge it within our own library and archives. Using two collections containing Indigenous knowledges but not (primarily) Indigenous belongings, we explore our attempts to challenge pioneer veneration and seek out more impactful and purposefully reparative avenues of service to Indigenous patrons and stakeholders. By specifically defining the term pioneer veneration and discussing our institution’s effort to counter it in two specific collections, we hope to expand the lens of the types of collections that can be part of decolonization work and offer some replicable examples of work that redresses white supremacy and colonialism in institutional archives.

The Concept of Legal Protection of Intellectual Property Rights of Traditional Jamu Communal Rights in Central Java

This study aims to describe and provide empirical evidence regarding the legal protection of intellectual property rights for traditional herbal medicines based on communal rights in Central Java and to formulate the concept of legal protection for traditional herbal medicines based on communal rights. Theoretical Framework: This study uses the Theory of Legal Protection and the Theory of Defensive Protection to provide solutions to phenomena that occur in the field. It employs a purposive technique in sampling. The empirical concept is still known in legal research. Legal research views law in the scope of non-formal institutions and tries to understand legal behavior (the living law) in the context of social reality, legal protection of traditional herbal medicine, and also in the context of the reality of society that lives in groups and together. The findings of the study explain that Traditional Herbal Medicine Nguter, which is made and produced by the Nguter Local Community consisting of Herbal Medicine Business Actors, the Nguter Herbal Medicine Market, and also the Indonesian Herbal Medicine Cooperative, Kroya District, Cilacap Regency, Mijen District, Semarang City, and enjoyed by consumers in Nguter District, shows that traditional herbal medicine is a concoction that has been produced for generations and used by the Local Community. The existence of herbal medicine has its significance; however, it has not been optimally protected by the law by the State in the perspective of Intellectual Property Rights. The concept offered is legal protection for traditional herbal medicine as traditional knowledge by using the Defensive Protection concept, which is based on the fulfillment of communal rights. In this perspective, protection is achieved by publishing traditional herbal medicine openly, which can be accessed by Patent Examiners in Indonesia and abroad. The name of the publication is the Traditional Medicine Digital Library.

The Influence of Traditional Chinese Aesthetics on the Improvement of Aesthetic Musical Abilities

Music is a meaningful way to implement aesthetic education and an essential part of aesthetic education. This study aimed to study which traditional Chinese aesthetic ideas are essential in enhancing aesthetic emotions to determine which important traditional aesthetic thoughts influence the improvement of people's aesthetic connotation. The scope of the research is to systematically classify traditional Chinese aesthetic knowledge and explore the factors that influence the improvement of aesthetic ability. The focus of the interview is on how college students can improve their aesthetic inspiration when appreciating Chinese music works from the aesthetic factors of Chinese aesthetics, such as the beauty of the conception, the beauty of the situation, and the beauty of rhyme so that they can not only "entertain their ears" but also "empathize" after listening to music. The findings emphasize that traditional Chinese aesthetics seeks emptiness, charm, profundity, artistic conception, and vividness, emphasizing intuition and comprehension. This spiritual core can nourish people's emotions and enhance aesthetic emotions.

Social Analysis of NTFP (Non-Timber Forest Products) Dependent Livelihoods of South India

Aim: This study explores the socioeconomic factors influencing the collection of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs) among tribal communities in Wayanad, Kerala, South India. It also examines their perceptions of the decline in NTFP availability and their awareness about the conservation measures necessary to address the issue. Methodology: The data was collected from 105 households to assess NTFP dependency, and their perceptions. Multilinear regression was used to analyse the factors affecting NTFP collection and Likert scale was utilized to understand their perception and awareness. Results: Results revealed significant gender disparities, with men primarily involving in physically demanding NTFP collection activities. The findings indicated a relatively low interest among the youth towards NTFP collection, with younger generation increasingly disengaging in favour of alternative employment opportunities linked to higher education. variables such as tribal group, land ownership, total marketing expenditure, income from wages, agricultural income, and overall annual income significantly influenced total NTFP income levels. Majority of tribals had a medium level of awareness, recognizing the primary causes of decline but lacked a comprehensive understanding. Conclusion: The study emphasizes the urgent need for integrating traditional ecological knowledge with modern conservation practices, promoting sustainable harvesting methods, enhancing market infrastructure, and the need for targeted interventions that empower women in NTFP-related livelihoods, offering them training and access to higher-value NTFP collections. Addressing these challenges is crucial for the social upliftment of tribal communities and sustainable management of NTFPs.