The Role of Indigenous Paradigms and Traditional Knowledge Systems in Modern Humanity’s Sustainability Quest – Future Foundations from Past Knowledge’s

Abstract

There is growing awareness and understanding in scientific research of the role and benefits Indigenous knowledge systems bring to the science, education and practice of managing the natural environment. These components are slowly being recognised in further fields such as planning and design, food and agriculture, this inclusion is promoting more respectful and equal decision making as well as new perspectives on sustainability meanings and concepts. It also opens dialog for destictive procedures of planning that derive from Indigenous world view. This includes a regenerative planning paradigm that places, culture, climate and ecosystem needs as the primary nucleus of sustainability. This Indignous derived planning paradigm aims to design for a future of co-existence and co-evolution of humans and other species. Whereas sustainable design aims to provide fundamental human needs only. The purpose of providing platforms for Indigenous paradigms and traditional knowledge systems in modern humanity’s sustainability is to provide pathways of innovative thinking and approaches by inserting this paradigm into the toolbox that advances evolution in adaptation and resilience in the face of human induced climate change. It includes the key derivatives of what sustained Indigenous cultures, the biophysical habitats we provided custodianship for and the environment that we are caretakers of through Indigenous sustainably lenses for many generations with success not only for humans but for thriving biological elements.