Read
Indigenous roots of permaculture — Reading 1
treehugger.com
Open resourceIf you cannot access this resource, contact me for help with this reading or media.
Module 01 / 25
Introduction to Permaculture
Topics
- The state of the world
- Philosophy, history, and impact of current cultural values
What you’ll learn
Learning goals
- Understand how Traditional Ecological Knowledge is invaluable for connecting with and contributing to the healing of nature
- Understand how current cultural values drive the destruction of society and nature
- Move the discussion toward positivism by understanding what can be done now
Read, watch & explore
Getting the books · access & editions
Use your own copy, buy the book, or borrow it through a library when possible. If you are local to me, contact me about borrowing a copy. You can also contact me for information about digital or other access to assigned readings.
Ask about reading access ↗If your edition uses different page numbers, contact me and we can match the correct section. Contact instructor.
Indigenous roots of permaculture
Read these four perspectives on the Indigenous roots of permaculture.
Read
Indigenous roots of permaculture — Reading 2
permaculturenews.org
Open resourceRead
Indigenous roots of permaculture — Reading 3
kcet.org
Open resourceRead
Indigenous roots of permaculture — Reading 4
motherearthnews.com
Open resourceTraditional Ecological Knowledge
Read
Native knowledge for native ecosystems. Journal of Forestry (4-9).pdf
Course reading · PDF excerpt
On Page 5 of this document, it notes that Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) “differs from scientific ecological knowledge in important ways. Each has its strengths and weaknesses, which suggests that there may be value in partnership between them.”
Open resourceIf you cannot access this resource, contact me for help with this reading or media.
I personally don't think "weaknesses" is the right word here. There are simply differences. All ongoing progress in human knowledge is directly built on indigenous lands and knowledge. However, there certainly can and should be a partnership between TEK and modern ecological knowledge and “resource management” to reverse and repair the damage that has been done through colonialism and corporate capitalism.
Read these resources for a deeper understanding of the issues.
Read
Traditional ecological knowledge in perspective (1-9).pdf
Course reading · PDF excerpt
Open resourceForest change, settlement, and resource use
Book reading
Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 1
Dave Jacke and Eric Toensmeier
Pages 1 to 68: Introduction to permaculture
Pages 11 to 24: Forest change, settlement, and resource use — start here within the assigned reading.
Book access & editionsBook reading
The Resilient Farm and Homestead
Ben Falk
A second perspective on household and settlement choices.
Pages 21 to 24: household and settlement choices
Pages 30 to 37: household and settlement choices
Book access & editionsWatch
Challenges of the World - Oregon State University
YouTube
If the player does not load, use the source link.
Permaculture as a design system
Watch
Design System Intro Video
YouTube
If the player does not load, use the source link.
Exercise & discussion
Resources for your research
For the research activity, consult the relevant Indigenous Nation’s own public resources as well as the map. Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge are present-day, not only historical. Native Land Digital describes its maps as starting points, not official territorial boundaries. Keep the source and Nation attached to each account; do not treat different knowledge traditions as interchangeable.
Read alongside the map: Native Land Digital’s territory guidance.
Explore
Native Land map
native-land.ca
Open resourceRead
Native Land Digital’s territory guidance
native-land.ca
Open resourceExercise and Discussion: Review Native Land map to see the people that traditionally inhabited any land you have a connection with before colonization (there may be more than one people), or the current land you’re on. Treat the map as a starting point, not an official boundary source, and consult the relevant Indigenous Nation’s own public resources. Spend 1-2 hours researching:
- their way of life back then
- how they moved on the land
- if they undertook seasonal migration and where to
- how long they settled in a specific area (long term over decades or longer, or for a few years before moving to another location)
- how they got their food and what they ate primarily
- how they interacted with the land in general
Please take notes and share and discuss with me.
What to prepare
- Research notes covering the six questions above, with the Indigenous Nation and source links identified for each account.
Save written notes as a document or PDF. For paper maps or handwritten notes, use a clear photo or scan. You can combine related work in one file.
Share & discuss
Attach your research notes, including the source links.
Email the address listed under “Get In Touch” on my contact page. Do not use the contact form. Include the Permaculture Design Course, Module 1, and “Indigenous land-use research” in your subject or message.
Find my email address ↗Readings & resources
- Indigenous roots of permaculture — Reading 1ReadIn lesson ↑
- Indigenous roots of permaculture — Reading 2ReadIn lesson ↑
- Indigenous roots of permaculture — Reading 3ReadIn lesson ↑
- Indigenous roots of permaculture — Reading 4ReadIn lesson ↑
- Native knowledge for native ecosystems. Journal of Forestry (4-9).pdfReadIn lesson ↑
- Traditional ecological knowledge in perspective (1-9).pdfReadIn lesson ↑
- Edible Forest Gardens, Volume 1Pages 1 to 68: Introduction to permaculturePages 11 to 24: Forest change, settlement, and resource use — start here within the assigned reading.In lesson ↑
- The Resilient Farm and HomesteadPages 21 to 24: household and settlement choicesPages 30 to 37: household and settlement choicesIn lesson ↑
- Challenges of the World - Oregon State UniversityWatchIn lesson ↑
- Design System Intro VideoWatchIn lesson ↑
- Native Land mapExploreIn lesson ↑
- Native Land Digital’s territory guidanceReadIn lesson ↑