Book explores Indigenous values through science, poetry and stories
February 26, 2025
By Yuri Bult-Ito
The cover of the forthcoming book “Indigenous Critical Reflections on Traditional Ecological Knowledge” showcases Mvskoke/Choctaw artist Rhode Grayson’s artwork.
Indigenous value systems — relationships, reciprocity and responsibility — are fundamental to Indigenous knowledge systems and cultures. A new book explores these value systems through science, poetry and stories.
The book, “Indigenous Critical Reflections on Traditional Ecological Knowledge,” contains works by more than 50 scholars, poets and storytellers. It aims to inspire readers to recognize the importance of decolonization — challenging ideas and practices imposed by the dominant Western culture — and of recognizing the value of Indigenous knowledge systems.
The book’s authors, reviewers and editors are all Indigenous, a first for the publisher.
The authors include two from the University of Alaska Fairbanks: Leasi Vanessa Lee Raymond, deputy director for strategic initiatives at the Alaska Center for Energy and Power, and , a postdoctoral researcher at the International Arctic Research Center.
At ACEP, Raymond applies her Indigenous perspective to the management of the organization’s data, focusing on quality, security and availability. She oversees ACEP’s data teams and works on Arctic-Pacific regional energy research and Indigenous engagement in energy research.
In her chapter, “Talofae, Your Ancestors Are Gossiping about Your Data Management Plan,” Raymond provides a framework for creating an Indigenous-informed and culturally appropriate data management plan. Combining her expertise in sociotechnology — the study of processes in which society and technology are indivisible — and her Samoan heritage, she examines concepts of fa’a samoa, or Samoan traditional knowledge, for data management.
Raymond worked with old and new Pasifika (Pacific Islander) texts as well as with matais (chiefs) and knowledge bearers within her own family for the chapter.
“As we move from just awareness and introductory concepts of Indigenous data sovereignty and into applying these frameworks to research and data management processes, it was exciting to be able to explore how Samoan traditional knowledge concepts could be brought to bear on research data management,” Raymond said.
Rudolf’s chapter “Co-Production of Knowledge in Arctic Research: A Paradigm Shift or Another Cycle of Oppression?” critiques discourse on the topic from an Indigenous standpoint. She addresses initiative.
UAF’s Anamaq Margaret Rudolf, left, and Leasi Vanessa Lee Raymond authored chapters for the book.
With a background in civil engineering and permafrost, Rudolf is keen on spanning boundaries between Alaska Native communities and research institutes to co-produce usable outcomes. At IARC, Rudolf applies her expertise within the .
Her chapter reflects on her observations, understanding and unique perspective gained from being Inupiaq and working with community members and researchers over the years.
“The critical self-reflection was a moment for me to pause and question the positives and negatives of scientific research with Arctic Indigenous communities,” Rudolf noted.
“It was an opportunity to explore my own Inupiaq values and how they interact with my research and Arctic research in general,” she said.
“,” edited by Lara A. Jacobs and published by Oregon State University Press, will be available in March.