Module 11 | Indigenous knowledge and sustainability - APCEIU

Interviews with Indigenous People
This task provides suggestions for investigating indigenous ways of living sustainably
by talking with local indigenous people about:
Indigenous knowledge possessed by people in your area; and
Aspects of this knowledge they would like to see taught in schools.
You could do this on your own or with a small group of colleagues.
It is important to check and observe local protocols for inviting indigenous people to
talk with you about their knowledge. There may be issues about who has the right to
speak, about what, and to whom. Other issues may relate to sacred and secret
knowledge. Possibly, some knowledge may only be shared with people of certain ages,
or with men or women only. Learn all you can about these protocols to avoid insensitive
questions.
Worksheets for four interview topics are provided below.
Check which topic local groups would be most happy to discuss with you, and/or like to
see incorporated in the school curriculum.
Health and medicines
Sanitation
Resource management
Agriculture