Week 12 Lecture on Indigenous STS)

Scientists Towards Indigenous Science, Technology, and Society

Speaker: Marisa Duarte

Topic: Indigenous STS – Towards Sovereign Bodies & Sustainable Relations

Key Quote:

"Truth is what hastens the dislocation of the colonial regime, what fosters the emergence of the nation." - Franz Fanon

Justice and Dignity in Indigenous Approaches

Resisting Scientism:

Scientism is characterized as:

• Mechanistic: Viewing life through a lens that reduces complex phenomena to mere machinery.

• Materialistic: Emphasizing material possessions and physical processes over spiritual or communal aspects of life.

• Reductionist: Breaking down complex systems into their simplest components, often overlooking the bigger picture.

• Empirical: Relying solely on observable, measurable evidence to the exclusion of subjective experience.

• Rational: Focusing on logic and reasoning at the expense of emotional or cultural insights.

• Decontextualized: Ignoring the historical and social contexts in which knowledge is produced.

• Mathematically Idealized: Using mathematical models as definitive representations of reality, sometimes leading to oversimplified conclusions.

Additional traits:

• Communal: Dismissing the communal aspects of knowledge sharing and valuing individual accomplishment.

• Ideological: Often serving specific power structures and undermining alternative worldviews.

• Masculine: Frequently privileging masculine perspectives and experiences in scientific discourse.

• Elitist and Competitive: Fostering a sense of exclusivity and elitism over cooperative endeavors.

• Exploitative: Using knowledge and resources for the benefit of elites at the expense of marginalized communities.

• Impersonal and Violent: Lacking compassion, leading to harmful practices against vulnerable populations.

• Additional impact markers include being homophobic, colonizing, and endorsing White supremacy, significantly affecting Indigenous communities and other marginalized groups.

Effects of Scientism:

• It subjugates Indigenous peoples, women, people of color, and queer individuals, undermining their rights and sovereignty.

• Contributes to systemic issues such as carceral systems, environmental exploitation, and neoliberal economic interventions that disproportionately affect marginalized communities.

Biocolonialism:

• Described as processes that lead to the extermination of Indigenous peoples, the declaration of their lands as wasteland, and subsequent exploitation for agriculture and industry. This form of colonialism commodifies life itself, often seen in practices concerning agricultural technology and genetic modification.

Data Origin in Indian Country:

• Recognizes that the history of data production and collection among Indigenous peoples is rooted in the experiences and legacies of biocolonialism.

Genetic Science and Racism

• Asserts a notion of universal genetic relatedness where all humans trace their ancestry back to African origins, intended to counteract racist ideologies.

• Quotes from geneticists like Spencer Wells, highlighting scientific biases and flaws that underpin racist beliefs.

• Definition of Scientism: Refers to the methods and attitudes attributed to natural scientists, marked by an exaggerated confidence in the applicability of scientific methods across diverse fields, including social sciences and humanities.

Mainstream STS vs Indigenous STS

Decolonization:

• Viewed as a liminal space where STS techniques bridge reality with aspirations for indigenous self-determination.

• Emphasizes that "truth is owed only to fellow Indigenous peoples,” prioritizing Indigenous narratives.

Comparative Attributes:

• Non-Indigenous STS primarily serves to enhance the lives of nationalist settlers, while Indigenous STS focuses on equality, justice, and the preservation of Indigenous rights and sovereignty.

• Indigenous STS emphasizes survival strategies for Indigenous communities versus the acquisition of knowledge for maintaining power in mainstream contexts.

• Example: Initiatives like "Broadband Bruce" aim to provide internet access tailored to the needs of the Maskwacis Indigenous community, allowing for culturally relevant and contextually appropriate technological integration.

• Indigenous STS emphasizes actionable justice and advocacy for Indigenous rights over the generalized equity often seen in non-Indigenous STS frameworks.

• Advocates for returning lands and waters to Indigenous governance and sovereignty as essential elements of justice.

• Native scientists focus on environmental stewardship and relational methodologies compared to the technical problem-solving orientation prominent in non-Indigenous STS.

• Non-Indigenous STS often perpetuates scientism, whereas Indigenous STS critically engages with Indigenous worldviews and lifeways to articulate alternative understandings of knowledge.

• Ultimately, Indigenous STS offers vital insights into truth and justice within the complex power dynamics present in society.

Strategic Priorities of Indigenous STS

• To build effective Indigenous STS frameworks, the following principles are crucial:

  • Good relations, consent, and reciprocity: Establishing mutual respect and understanding between Indigenous and non-Indigenous parties.

  • Dynamic, accessible spaces: Creating research environments that are flexible and open to those directly affected by the research.

  • Expertise and collaboration on Indigenous terms: Recognizing and prioritizing Indigenous knowledge systems and ways of knowing in all research endeavors.

  • Mentorship and Indigenous leadership: Promoting Indigenous voices and leaders in shaping research agendas.

  • Equitable relations: Ensuring that relationships forged during research are balanced and benefit all parties involved.

Title: Jessica Kolopenuk

Focus: Miskasowin - Indigenous Science, Technology, and Society

Kolopenuk on Indigenous STS

• Tracing the evolution of Indigenous Science and Technology Studies (I-STS) within the broader genealogy of Indigenous Studies enhances understanding of current challenges.

• I-STS vs. Other Disciplines:

  • Unlike mainstream STS, I-STS is fundamentally connected to the defense and affirmation of Indigenous sovereignties and rights.

  • Grounded in critical Indigenous theory, I-STS offers robust critiques of non-Indigenous epistemologies, aiming to deconstruct dominant narratives regarding Indigenous communities.

Kolopenuk's Approach

• Indigenous STS aims to enhance the capacity of non-Indigenous institutions to engage effectively with Indigenous expertise and values.

• Advocates for interdisciplinary, relational, and culturally relevant research methodologies that honor Indigenous ways of knowing.

• Expresses concern that traditional scientific methods involved in societal projects often hinder Indigenous governance and exploitation of lands.

• Emphasizes that I-STS is distinct from mere reconciliatory efforts; it is a decolonization project seeking to rectify historical injustices.

Animacy of Knowledge

• Understanding knowledge as dynamic—subject to continual creation and destruction—challenges static representations and emphasizes its relational aspect.

• Calls for reflection on personal knowledge and its impacts through frameworks that prioritize co-production and collaboration among diverse knowledge holders.

Relationship-Building in Research

• Highlights the importance of nurturing broad relational networks and collaborations in research practices, engaging various stakeholders and Indigenous communities.

• Introduces Indigenous analytical frameworks such as Miskâsowin and Wakohtowin which are critical for examining settler-colonial structures and fostering partnerships for equitable outcomes.

Potential Exam Questions

1. What are the unique approaches, methods, and frameworks presented in Kolopenuk's research?

2. How do Kolopenuk's research ethics diverge from mainstream research guidelines?

3. In what ways do Indigenous STS and mainstream STS differ in their objectives and methodologies?