From EnvSci Australia…09 Feb 2012

Today’s theme was “Ways of Knowing” as it relates to observing and recording culture.  Our guide for this experience was Dr. John Bradley, simply an extraordinary, gifted teacher, anthropologist and human.  John has worked with the Yanyuwa people of the Northern Territory; home country is the SW coast of the Gulf of Carpentaria.  He challenged our thinking about observing and recording cultures other than one’s own and underscored the importance of language, culture and knowledge as inextricably linked.  During our four hours together we heard and appreciated the complexity of Yanyuwa life and connection to country (for a good resource about what “country” means, see the internet book Nourishing Terrians by Rose).  Here I must stop to thank John, Stephanie and Elizabeth for all the conversations about different ways of knowing country.  What would the world be like if we all embraced an ethic about home or country that encapsulated just a fraction of knowledge held by original land owners or guardians?  Would we hear the ecological stories in the songs and dances shared among one another?  Would we see earth, sky, land, sea, all creatures as a living, breathing, sentient presence and our ancestors?  We can learn much if: 1) we have the courage to allow each person to embrace their full humanity rather than elevate one particular way of knowing above another; and 2) we see life and spirit in all elements of the world around us, not just the human part.