Introduction to Indigenous Knowledge: Ep 8 of Crash Course Native American History
video description
Date: 2025-07-20
Related videos
Comments and reviews: 20
pedrostormrage
1: 46 Which goes to show that knowledge is influenced by the perspectives we humans bring to it I feel that's the key point: it's not about a different way of knowing, but a different way of perceiving. Philosophy defines knowledge as justified true belief, so if your beliefs rely only on tradition (from storytelling/oral history) then that's not knowledge. However, certain stories persist for a reason (maybe because there's some truth to them, and investigating those can give us a perspective that leads to a justification behind those beliefs (and that's when they can become knowledge - if they are true -, like with the tree talk example.
reply
1: 46 Which goes to show that knowledge is influenced by the perspectives we humans bring to it I feel that's the key point: it's not about a different way of knowing, but a different way of perceiving. Philosophy defines knowledge as justified true belief, so if your beliefs rely only on tradition (from storytelling/oral history) then that's not knowledge. However, certain stories persist for a reason (maybe because there's some truth to them, and investigating those can give us a perspective that leads to a justification behind those beliefs (and that's when they can become knowledge - if they are true -, like with the tree talk example.
reply
crash_course
When I was teaching a college course and covered environmental justice, I emphasized this as one of, if not the, most important thing my student could take away from the course. That we must take seriously the knowledge of indigenous people as seriously as we do western science. That the suppression of indigenous knowledge and practice is a big part of what brought us to our current environmental crises. And that we cannot solve those crises without letting indigenous peoples take the lead. Thank you for another brilliant episode! I wish this series was out when I was still teaching lol
reply
When I was teaching a college course and covered environmental justice, I emphasized this as one of, if not the, most important thing my student could take away from the course. That we must take seriously the knowledge of indigenous people as seriously as we do western science. That the suppression of indigenous knowledge and practice is a big part of what brought us to our current environmental crises. And that we cannot solve those crises without letting indigenous peoples take the lead. Thank you for another brilliant episode! I wish this series was out when I was still teaching lol
reply
Jenny-fk3ke
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a lifechanging book, especially if you’re not already familiar with indigenous science. Each chapter is an incredible essay by itself, the ones that particularly had an impact on me were Allegiance to Gratitude, ’ Epiphany in the beans’, and The Honorable Harvest’. As others have mentioned, her shorter book Gathering Moss is amazing too. I love the concept of two-eyed seeing and I wish it was more widespread! Thank you for this introductory video!
reply
Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer is a lifechanging book, especially if you’re not already familiar with indigenous science. Each chapter is an incredible essay by itself, the ones that particularly had an impact on me were Allegiance to Gratitude, ’ Epiphany in the beans’, and The Honorable Harvest’. As others have mentioned, her shorter book Gathering Moss is amazing too. I love the concept of two-eyed seeing and I wish it was more widespread! Thank you for this introductory video!
reply
feitocomfruta
Let’s not forget: most ancient mythology and beliefs are based in real life mechanics. They were used to explain why things are the way they are. It’s why western science is able to explain indigenous knowledge.
(I used the quotes to highlight full concepts, not to discredit. No disrespect intended, just in case it came across that way)
reply
Let’s not forget: most ancient mythology and beliefs are based in real life mechanics. They were used to explain why things are the way they are. It’s why western science is able to explain indigenous knowledge.
(I used the quotes to highlight full concepts, not to discredit. No disrespect intended, just in case it came across that way)
reply
lilpsyche6971
Every time I see these videos I click so fast. I love seeing Native people and non native people sharing information and helping each other. Not letting the past define us, but letting it guide us to a better future together.
My Yaqui father visited me out of the blue and was surprised how much I knew about our people. Thanks Crash Course!
reply
Every time I see these videos I click so fast. I love seeing Native people and non native people sharing information and helping each other. Not letting the past define us, but letting it guide us to a better future together.
My Yaqui father visited me out of the blue and was surprised how much I knew about our people. Thanks Crash Course!
reply
viennajordan9279
I'm an ecology major, and I'm white, and I'm beginning my journey of de-colonizing my understanding of science. I admit that I have a lot of prejudice to unlearn. I've always been taught a narrative that white men invented science and everyone else has always been wrong about everything. Thank you for making these videos!
reply
I'm an ecology major, and I'm white, and I'm beginning my journey of de-colonizing my understanding of science. I admit that I have a lot of prejudice to unlearn. I've always been taught a narrative that white men invented science and everyone else has always been wrong about everything. Thank you for making these videos!
reply
crash_course
Yesss! Braiding Sweetgrass & Gathering Moss are cornerstones, & I would love to see videos as elaborations on those works, plus other videos about controlled burns, indigenous ag (such as the three sisters, etc, & herbal medicine on various lands. love this series so much and always look forward to learning more
reply
Yesss! Braiding Sweetgrass & Gathering Moss are cornerstones, & I would love to see videos as elaborations on those works, plus other videos about controlled burns, indigenous ag (such as the three sisters, etc, & herbal medicine on various lands. love this series so much and always look forward to learning more
reply
madisonganas
So obsessed with this. I start medical school in Yakima, WA in a few weeks. I will be in DO school, and I am so interested in the integration of western science and more inherent knowing explained in this video. Something that I am very interested in studying. This came at perfect timing for me!
reply
So obsessed with this. I start medical school in Yakima, WA in a few weeks. I will be in DO school, and I am so interested in the integration of western science and more inherent knowing explained in this video. Something that I am very interested in studying. This came at perfect timing for me!
reply
GoProAudi
Ever wonder how the science world would be different today if Europeans had been even a bit less racist Not even just physical sciences, how would our knowledge and perspective on World History look today if we didn't see everything through the lens of Greco-Roman centricity
reply
Ever wonder how the science world would be different today if Europeans had been even a bit less racist Not even just physical sciences, how would our knowledge and perspective on World History look today if we didn't see everything through the lens of Greco-Roman centricity
reply
lalazz7
I've been learning through crash course for about a decade now and this the coolest series ever! Since I was a child I always thought that some ideas from the western science wasn't exactly right and was more into the indigenous science even though I hadn't any idea about it.
reply
I've been learning through crash course for about a decade now and this the coolest series ever! Since I was a child I always thought that some ideas from the western science wasn't exactly right and was more into the indigenous science even though I hadn't any idea about it.
reply
Top10Globally1
This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a call to unlearn. As one commenter said, Crash Course finally fills the gaps my textbooks left For educators, it’s a goldmine for decolonizing classroomspair it with Ep (Myths & Misconceptions) for a full punch.
reply
This isn’t just a history lesson; it’s a call to unlearn. As one commenter said, Crash Course finally fills the gaps my textbooks left For educators, it’s a goldmine for decolonizing classroomspair it with Ep (Myths & Misconceptions) for a full punch.
reply
lydiabh1840
Just happened to finish Dr. Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass today! Great video. Intrigued by the contrast of consumerism to a culture of reciprocity with the land. Really makes sense why the modern (western-centric) world seems awash in discontentment!
reply
Just happened to finish Dr. Kimmerer’s book Braiding Sweetgrass today! Great video. Intrigued by the contrast of consumerism to a culture of reciprocity with the land. Really makes sense why the modern (western-centric) world seems awash in discontentment!
reply
AlexL64
this series is making me cry multiple times from every native tribe's ways of understanding the world. They are so wise and profound. Much love and respect to y'all for making this series and solidarity to all tribes fightin' the good fight!
reply
this series is making me cry multiple times from every native tribe's ways of understanding the world. They are so wise and profound. Much love and respect to y'all for making this series and solidarity to all tribes fightin' the good fight!
reply
arobhg19
I really want to learn an language from the Pacific northwest, but sadly with lack of much resources it's really hard to do it. I hope indigenous knowledge and culture is more available and in general moe preserved
reply
I really want to learn an language from the Pacific northwest, but sadly with lack of much resources it's really hard to do it. I hope indigenous knowledge and culture is more available and in general moe preserved
reply
FayeVert
I grew up in northern California and was lucky to go on a school field trip where we learned about redwood dugout canoes from a Yurok elder who was a master craftsman. I didn't know the Chumash used redwood as well!
reply
I grew up in northern California and was lucky to go on a school field trip where we learned about redwood dugout canoes from a Yurok elder who was a master craftsman. I didn't know the Chumash used redwood as well!
reply
animaol
1: 23 i literally just finished reading dr robin wall kinmerer's book 'gathering moss'! such a wonderful book and was my first exposure to indigenous science so this video couldn't have come at a better time
reply
1: 23 i literally just finished reading dr robin wall kinmerer's book 'gathering moss'! such a wonderful book and was my first exposure to indigenous science so this video couldn't have come at a better time
reply
himothy-i9n
I hate how the civilisation myth is still widely believed.
The civilisation myth is that Europeans brought knowledge and civilisation to the savage non-white ppl used to justify colonialism
reply
I hate how the civilisation myth is still widely believed.
The civilisation myth is that Europeans brought knowledge and civilisation to the savage non-white ppl used to justify colonialism
reply
Native-Kitty
I don’t know why this video showed up in my feed, but I’m so glad it did! Now, I have to binge watch the other videos. I LOVE the concept that Knowledge weighs nothing.
reply
I don’t know why this video showed up in my feed, but I’m so glad it did! Now, I have to binge watch the other videos. I LOVE the concept that Knowledge weighs nothing.
reply
crash_course
Have I missed the explaination of the beautiful pattern on the wall to your left I have watched all these videos (great work btw) and I don't remember it.
reply
Have I missed the explaination of the beautiful pattern on the wall to your left I have watched all these videos (great work btw) and I don't remember it.
reply
midoriya-shonen
I love two- eyed seeing
Knowledge weighs nothing, carry all that you can. Wow, I love that too, I had to type it out so I could remember it better.
reply
I love two- eyed seeing
Knowledge weighs nothing, carry all that you can. Wow, I love that too, I had to type it out so I could remember it better.
reply
Add a review, comment
Other channel videos
