Review of Aboriginal astronomy and navigation: A Western Australian focus

Förster, Peter

doi:10.1017/pasa.2021.51

Cited by 5 publications

(1 citation statement)

References 57 publications

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“…Researchers have benefited greatly from bridging Traditional Knowledges and the predominant Western systems of knowledge keeping. For example, Noongar (western Australia), Wiradjuri (eastern Australia), Yolngu (northern Australia) Warlpiri (central Australia) and many more Nations, have been specifically acknowledged by modern astrophysicists as keepers of navigational and calendar systems, as well as notable astrophysical phenomena of cyclical and individual incidence (Forster, 2021;Norris, 2016).…”

Section: Traditional Knowledges As Sources Of Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

More than dirt: sedimentary ancient DNA and Indigenous Australia

Lewis

Simpson

Hermes

et al. 2022

Preprint

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The rise of sedimentary ancient DNA (sedaDNA) studies has opened up new possibilities for studying pre-historic ecology. The use of sediments to identify organisms even where macroscopic remains are limited or no longer exist is an exciting and potentially ground-breaking area of genomics. There are special considerations however when managing this substrate in Indigenous Australian contexts. Sediments and soils are often considered as waste by-products during archaeological and paleontological excavations, and as such are not typically considered of high value in ethical considerations in traditional western research. Nevertheless, the product of sedaDNA work – genetic information from past fauna, flora, microbial communities, and human ancestors – is likely to be of cultural value for Indigenous peoples. We argue that the integration of Traditional Knowledges into sedaDNA research would a) allow identification of sensitive, secret, or sacred genomic data, and b) improve research outcomes by providing ecological context for species through multi-millennia oral histories.

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Section: Traditional Knowledges As Sources Of Informationmentioning

confidence: 99%

More than dirt: sedimentary ancient DNA and Indigenous Australia

Lewis

Simpson

Hermes

et al. 2022

Preprint

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Talking Mungee – a teacher, provider, connector, exemplar: what’s not to celebrate about the world’s largest mistletoe, Nuytsia floribunda

Lullfitz

Knapp

Cummings³

et al. 2023

Plant Soil

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Purpose Endemic to Noongar Country of southwestern Australia, the charismatic and much-loved mistletoe, Nuytsia floribunda (Labill.) R.Br. ex G.Don (Munjee/Moodjar in Noongar language), was the subject of a 2010 review which explored aspects of its cultural importance and botanical attributes based largely on early colonial accounts and scientific findings. Our purpose was to apply cross-cultural methods to review and update findings reported by Hopper (2010). Methods We have recently explored this iconic species through a collaborative Elder-led, cross-cultural process, largely through oral accounts of contemporary Merningar Noongar knowledge holders. Results We record previously unpublished insights relating to Nuytsia floribunda, and longheld Noongar custom relating to its conservation, use and multi-faceted relationships with southwestern Australia’s First Nations peoples. We present Noongar- and Western science-derived knowledge relating to the physiology, ecology and evolution of this species. Conclusion The unique biology, ingenuity and physical prominence of Nuytsia floribunda has been recognised in Noongar lore for millennia. We suggest it as a valuable teacher and exemplar of prosperous survival in old, climatically-buffered, infertile landscapes and to this end, should be widely celebrated.

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Indigenous Mathematics: From Mainstream Misconceptions to Educational Enrichment

Xu,

Ball

2024

Can. J. Sci. Math. Techn. Educ.

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The old canard that Indigenous and First Nations peoples had, or have, only rudimentary mathematical skills has been curiously persistent, against widespread published evidence over the past century and a half. In Australia, attempts to include Indigenous mathematical knowledge in curriculums have encountered strong resistance. After more than 12 years of advocacy and development by expert Indigenous advisers, content elaborations on Indigenous mathematics were included in the 2022 release of the Australian school curriculum. This hard-won achievement is welcomed widely, but experience also tells us to expect some resistance from sectors of the education communities who maintain and gatekeep an exclusively British-European or Western provenance of mathematics. In this article, we employ an exemplary approach to counter such narratives by summarising and replying to five published critiques of Indigenous mathematics, which typify widely held and propagated misconceptions. We seek to forestall potential pushback constructively, and address concerns regarding the legitimacy and pedagogical value of Indigenous mathematics, by countering with evidence claims in these critiques that Australian First Nations peoples historically had no autonomously developed mathematical knowledge. In doing so, we seek to stimulate more diverse and inclusive discussions of the underlying questions of ‘What is mathematics?’ and ‘Who can do mathematics?’. Although our research originated in a particular national context, the foundational importance of mathematics within and between all societies entails a global response to address these and similar pervasive misconceptions.

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Review of Aboriginal astronomy and navigation: A Western Australian focus

Cited by 5 publications

References 57 publications

More than dirt: sedimentary ancient DNA and Indigenous Australia

More than dirt: sedimentary ancient DNA and Indigenous Australia

Talking Mungee – a teacher, provider, connector, exemplar: what’s not to celebrate about the world’s largest mistletoe, Nuytsia floribunda

Indigenous Mathematics: From Mainstream Misconceptions to Educational Enrichment

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