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THE FOUR WORLDS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE OF INDIGENOUS SCIENCES

SUMMARY FRAMEWORK & PROPOSAL

©Copyright 1996

INTRODUCTION

THIS DOCUMENT PROPOSES THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE FOUR WORLDS INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR INDIGENOUS SCIENCES. THE INSTITUTE WILL SERVE THE INTERESTS AND NEEDS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE WORLDWIDE, AND WILL PROVIDE A MUCH NEEDED CHANNEL THROUGH WHICH INDIGENOUS PEOPLE CAN SHARE THEIR GIFTS WITH THE WORLD.

The fundamental vision for the Four Worlds International Institute of Indigenous Sciences is rooted in the distinctive realities, needs, experience, knowledge and wisdom of the Indigenous peoples of the world. The mainstream academic and research institutions of today found in most countries of the world promote an Euro-American world view, and have unfortunately by passed the vast reservoir of useful local knowledge and science found within the distinctive cultures of the world's Indigenous peoples.

Some of the key features of the envisaged Four Worlds International Institute of Indigenous Sciences that distinguish it from the pan-global academic and research bodies follow:

1. A WHOLISTIC AND INTEGRATIVE APPROACH-The very nature and structure of the disciplines as embodied in Western science has fractionalized human intuitive understanding and integrative knowledge. Its quest for attaining ever more specialized knowledge and excellence within increasingly reduced and analyzed disciplines, has sacrificed the vital wisdom of knowing wholeness and mastering synthesis. In accord with the Indigenous world view, the Institute will assume an ecological and integrative perspective which sees human beings engaged in a complex interconnected web of relationships with the natural world, with each other, and with the socio-spiritual dimensions of life. This Indigenous world-view will provide integrative frameworks of values and schemes of thought through which distinct disciplines may be more effectively explored and defined without loosing sight of the critical relational whole of which they are a part.

2. RESEARCH WITH AN ORIENTATION TO SUSTAINABLE ACTION-The primary and secondary research to be conducted by the Institute will encompass:

• knowledge gathering;
• knowledge creation;
• knowledge systemization and classification; and
• knowledge dissemination.

3. PARTICIPATORY RESEARCH AND PARTNERSHIP METHODOLOGY-Indigenous knowledge lives and cannot be meaningfully separated from the day to day lives of grassroots Indigenous peoples. Therefore it is a methodological imperative that - insofar as is possible and practicable - Indigenous people at the community level be empowered to participate as co-researchers and full partners in all of the Institute's activities. From this partnership approach a two way flow of knowledge can be established, maintained and protected. As well, the vitality and relevancy of the Institute's activities will be ensured.

4.A COMMITMENT TO BRIDGE BETWEEN INDIGENOUS PEOPLE'S AND WESTERN TECHNO-SCIENCE SYSTEMS IN SEEKING A SUSTAINABLE WORLD -It is increasingly clear that Western techno-scientific approaches are not - in and of themselves - adequate to understanding and responding to the complex web of social, economic, political and environmental challenges the world is today facing. Thought leaders from many disciplines are increasingly looking to Indigenous peoples for new ways of approaching problems and for existing knowledge that may provide better answers. In turn, Indigenous communities are very open to taking the best of what other cultures, sciences and technologies have, and integrating them into effecting even more sustainable patterns of life. The Institute will serve a critical and historic role as both a catalyst for cooperation, and as bridge of understanding between these widely divergent worlds.

The activities of the Institute, at local, regional, and global levels will entail the following:

1. RESEARCH To research and document Indigenous knowledge systems, in order to recover, renew, and reclaim what was known in the past - wisdom, knowledge and technologies - and to bring it to bear on the realities of life facing Indigenous peoples and the rest of humanity into the 21st century.
2. EDUCATION AND TRAINING To promote the learning that is needed for sustainable development related to many fields of endeavor, both within and beyond Indigenous communities.
3. DEVELOPMENT ACTION To engage in a broad range of development related initiatives (in life sustaining fields such as health, agriculture, education and sustainable economic development) in partnership with indigenous communities, that lead to and demonstrate sustainable pathways of living.
4. BRIDGING To bridge between Indigenous people and the broader world community, such that their technologies, knowledge pools and integrative schemes of thought can inform the global struggle for a sustainable world, and to connect Indigenous peoples to each other.

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS NOW RECOGNIZED-The prime prerequisite to fulfilling the vision and promise of truly sustainable human societies is the re-discovery and renewal of a distinctive set of values and assumptions about humanity, the family, community and Mother Earth that are known to nurture and not undermine the long term wellness of humankind and all other forms of life. Earth based Indigenous traditional societies shared a common world view and approach to life which accorded strict respect for and studied adherence to the social, spiritual and physical design as found in the natural creation. Extending from this basic wisdom of studied respect for the design and orders of creation, Indigenous culture based knowledge systems were developed over the millennia. These systematized knowledge systems still survive to varying degrees and are especially noted for their qualities of simplicity, functionality, integrative holism, adaptability and sustainability. Furthermore, such social and natural science systems sought to minimize waste and duplication, while maximizing individual reconciliation to society and societal reconciliation to the creation.

The world community is belatedly recognizing the urgency of ensuring the preservation, renewal and application of the culture based knowledge and science systems still maintained to varying degrees by Indigenous traditional societies. The range of natural, life sciences and practical disciplines employed and effectively integrated by the Indigenous peoples of the world includes:

• polyculture agronomy (including natural pest control, microclimate management, soil classification and regeneration);
• natural resource management (including wildlife, agroforestry, marine life, and aquatic systems);
• aquaculture;
• integrated ecology and environmental systems;
• human and veterinary medicine (including obstetrics, midwifery, and extensive pharmocognosy);
• psychology (including psycho-social medicine);
• animal and plant species taxonomies; v plant, animal, and human foods and nutrition;
• familial based development and education of children;
• community based and guided development;
• consensual governance and management systems;
• religio-spiritual studies;
• law (including deliberative conflict resolution methodologies);
• musical, dramatic, and ceremonial arts;
• textile arts;
• political economy;
• communications;
• mathematics;
• meteorology;
• navigation; and
• architecture.

In accord with the universal tradition of cooperation and sharing, Indigenous peoples throughout the World and other interested peoples will be invited to learn from and contribute to the Institute and its activities. model, inspiration, and resource for the healing and renewal of the first peoples of Mother Earth and all peoples who are willing to acknowledge and respect the laws of life and of the natural world. In its formative years the Institute's principal emphases will be placed on the following areas:

1. Family based childhood education;
2. Human and community development;
3. Natural soil regeneration, including polyculture agriculture and permaculture;
4. Lifestyle based medicine and health regeneration as predicated on natural law;
5. Environmental and natural resource management; and
6. Sustainable trade and enterprise systems extending from the Indigenous knowledge and resource base, including culturally-based eco-tourism.

1. Identify, apply and evaluate valuable indigenous science and practice systems as a means of strengthening the general health, education,         socio-economic growth and development of the Indigenous peoples of the World.
2. Research and design technically sound and culturally appropriate demonstration projects and programs utilizing the best elements of indigenous science systems (at times, judiciously combined with apropos complementary elements of Western science) in practical fields such as agriculture-horticulture, health, nutrition, education, forestry, aquaculture, natural resource management, and small enterprise development.
3. Develop and house an Indigenous Sciences Documentation Resource Facility that will serve Indigenous peoples locally, internationally - and as well the broader World Community - in the gathering, analysis and dissemination of useful Indigenous life science data. This will include the development of a computer network system covering all known dimensions of Indigenous life sciences which will effectively reach to all parts of the globe.
4. Develop practical educational approaches, tools and activities based on Indigenous values and sciences for potential use within Indigenous communities, and as appropriate the broader society. This will include hands-on apprenticeship programs in specific fields such as traditional botanical medicine, ethnoveterinary medicine, organic agriculture, human and community development, family life and parenting skills, and environmental management.
5. Lay the foundation, general framework and direction for establishing the first Indigenous peoples managed international polytechnical institute, affording specialties in key Indigenous science areas.
6. Encourage and facilitate cooperative collaboration and interaction with multiple Indigenous peoples and nations in the mutual development and testing of indigenous sciences in development projects and human service programming.
7. Catalyze and support an inter-organizational and inter-regional sharing of perspectives, experiences and skills with respect to the incorporation of indigenous sciences in practical development activities, including potential collaboration between the Institute and prestigious Western-based R&D polytechnical institutions.
8. Undertake policy analysis and advocacy that will contribute to the growing world-wide effort to improve the quality, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability of development efforts through ensuring a greater understanding of indigenous sciences, emphasizing their actual and potential roles in human, community and social development in all societies and nations.

This initiative is being undertaken at a time of growing global awareness of the intrinsic as well as practical value of cultural diversity. This interest in other cultures and in the conservation of environmental and biological diversity has opened up new frontiers in markets for alternative products, such as those coming from Indigenous peoples who have a deeper wisdom of the natural world and its many life forms, and who as well hold many practical answers to fulfilling the social and spiritual needs of humanity. Indeed mainstream society is actively searching for practical answers to problems in many fields such as: health; psychiatry; diet; lifestyle and leisure activities; community development; social services; child development; education; energy; as well as issues to do with quality of the environment; biodiversity conservation; and sustainable, safe, and quality food production. Consequently, the potential for healthful economic development through rebuilding traditional knowledge and related economic activities is truly vast.

Without any question there are clear "markets" for Indigenous knowledge in all the above-mentioned fields including both the "public" and "private" sector economies. Potential markets can be developed and reached through a variety of means while the potential for books, videos, CD rom and films for documenting Indigenous knowledge has already been demonstrated. There is also latent demand, and potentially huge profits, for feature films based on Indigenous stories and epics. Another potential market is for Indigenous knowledge based educational materials and children's’ stories. Yet another relates to a vast reservoir of untapped pharmacological knowledge, resources and healing technologies, as well as, culturally-based eco-tourism.

According due respect to key socio-cultural and ethical marketing principles - including intellectual property rights - the International Institute of Indigenous Sciences will:

• Seek and negotiate special brokerage arrangements on behalf of the original holders of indigenous knowledge to both patent and market their discoveries, thus reducing unfair exploitation of such knowledge by multi-national corporate interests;
• Prepare and commercially market portions of the Indigenous science data base collection in a variety of media formats;
• Video-document successful Indigenous science experimentation and applied project results for marketing to industry, government technical and human service agencies, international development agencies, and educational institutions;
• Conduct - on a consultative fee basis - applied field research and documentation, policy analysis, legal services, seminar-training programs, curriculum development, and program design, implementation, and evaluation for public, private, and non-profit sector institutions and organizations domestically and internationally;
• Enter into joint research, development and marketing ventures with Indigenous peoples, nations and organizations, as well as institutions linked to the world-wide Indigenous knowledge movement and its rapidly emerging network system; and
• Support the research, documentation and dissemination of indigenous sciences through developing and marketing an Four Worlds International Institute Journal of Indigenous Life Sciences and over time other publications.

As the first institution of its kind under the direction of an international board consisting of Indigenous peoples, the International Institute will be in a position to more directly and credibly assist with the long term development goals of Indigenous peoples throughout the world. For example, the Institute will be able to provide continuing technical assistance to local Indigenous communities in developing and diversifying their agricultural and food production activities. Furthermore, the Institute will afford a unique channel of opportunity for Indigenous organizations - especially through their delegated representation on the Institute's Governing Board - to more effectively interact on a cooperative and practical basis with governmental, NGO, academic, and commercial interests world-wide.

Finally, the Four Worlds International Institute of Indigenous Sciences holds the potential to play a vital leadership role in placing Indigenous peoples themselves at the center stage in the rapidly emerging world-wide movement to protect, renew and re-employ practical culture based knowledge systems and wisdom in fulfilling the development potential of all human kind. Indeed, in the coming years it is envisaged that the unique resources and activities of the Institute will attract the attention of social, political, and thought leaders from around the world, thus affording the Institute with significant international support and recognition. As a unique global institution it will become widely recognized and appreciated as a world class leader in natural and life science based development research, sustainable socio-economic development, and environmental reform.

MOVING FROM A CONCEPT TO CONCRETE REALITY: STEPS ALREADY TAKEN -It is now widely recognized that the long term success of development support hinge largely on the degree to which local people participate, and their unique perspectives, insights, knowledge and institutions are accorded due acknowledgment and respect. "Culture in development" essentially means to respectfully build upon the way people live; their values, insights, and relationships to one another and to the natural world order; how they strive for survival; the techniques they use in natural resource management, agriculture and production; and the social organizations they choose in matters of housing, health, education, and community governance.

In 1992-93 our team undertook the first world-wide review on Indigenous Knowledge Systems in Development funded by a Western government led to the ensuing major report Culture Based Knowledge Systems in Development: Securing the Foundations for a Sustainable Future. This report documented the extent of interest in and involvement with local knowledge systems of multiple indigenous, development and research institutions world-wide. This historic assignment involved the acquisition and selected syntheses of a vast range of original and secondary applied research studies and papers germane to Indigenous knowledge systems; an extensive mailout of questionnaires to 570 selected organizations in all world regions; and field missions to all of the inhabited continents excepting Australia. Insofar as was practicable, representative Indigenous organizations and or people were consulted throughout the study. A cross sampling of key issues addressed in the report include:

• culture in the processes of development;
• Indigenous ecological knowledge and the global biodiversity crises;
• research priorities; and
• the purposeful use of Indigenous knowledge.

• Indigenous sustainable ecological-economic systems;
• communications;
• childhood development and education;
• diagnostic and healing practices;
• midwifery;
• veterinary medicine;
• eco-agriculture including polyculture, and non-toxic plant pesticides;
• phytopractices;
• legal systems;
• architecture and construction;
• mathematics, and
• intellectual property rights.

Despite such positive expansion in international recognition, a vast reservoir of practical local knowledge still remains unknown and untapped. Much of this vital knowledge has been passed down over the centuries and millennia in oral traditions through the elders, and today thanks to the untoward influences of global "modernization" is for the most part being forgotten and ignored by the younger generations. It's thus not difficult to appreciate that this priceless legacy is under a very real threat of extinction in many parts of the world. Nor can it be ignored that much of this remaining threatened knowledge base holds great import to the future well being and survival of all human societies. Indeed, considerable work remains to be done to ensure that it becomes more widely recognized, decoded, and applied as a means to conserve natural ecosystems, and to save techno-industrial human societies from the pernicious side effects of unbridled "development".

In response to this major crises, it is now considered crucial that there be established A GLOBAL INDIGENOUS SCIENCES AND DEVELOPMENT INSTITUTE, UNDER THE DIRECTION OF CAPABLE AND COMMITTED INDIGENOUS PEOPLE. Such an initiative will need to be implemented in a way that will progressively involve the meaningful collaboration and participation of Indigenous peoples, communities and their distinctive organizations throughout the Developing World regions, and as well in the "Developed Nations" of Eurasia; N. America and Australasia. Four Worlds International is now playing a world leadership role in spearheading the planning and groundwork for this historic undertaking.

As the first institution of its kind in the world the Four World's International Institute of Indigenous Sciences will hold the potential to play an historically significant role in bringing into prominence Indigenous peoples as the legitimate expositors and advocates of their own rich systems of traditional knowledge. Furthermore, it will serve to greatly strengthen the rapidly emerging world-wide movement to attain sustainable development for all of humankind.

WORK ALREADY UNDERTAKEN WITH INDIGENOUS COMMUNITIES-In the recent fourteen year period Four Worlds International has been listening to and working directly with Indigenous peoples in North and South America, the Asia-Pacific region, and Africa. These activities have tended to be discrete project related activities and thus delimited by the boundaries normally found in project funding. Furthermore, there has been relatively little follow-up outside of North America. Ideally, follow-up is critical and should be able to address:

1. Building upon the knowledge base and distinctive strengths of Indigenous populations;
2. Fostering inter-community exchanges and support processes among Indigenous peoples;
3. Building upon the capacity of Indigenous peoples to develop themselves and their communities; and
4. Drawing upon the knowledge, experiences, and strengths of Indigenous peoples to address critical problems facing the entire human family, such as

1. the environmental crises;
2. the losing war against crop diseases and pests that is being waged through costly agribusiness technology methods; and
3. the rapidly escalating crises of family breakdown and accompanying social diseases.

OTHER KEY PLAYERS -Although Four Worlds International is spearheading this initiative, it is doing so on a collaborative basis with Apikan International, which holds an outstanding track record in effecting economic development agreements and organizing trade conferences with Indigenous organizations and entrepreneurs in various world regions. Apikan's work has involved the continuing collaboration and support of the United Nations Development Program and the Canadian International Development Agency. As well, the World Council of Indigenous Peoples (WCIP) is very enthusiastic about the goal of establishing such a Institute. The WCIP which represents constituent Indigenous peoples organizations in South, Central and North America, the Pacific (Pacific to be confirmed), and Eurasia, has agreed to provide collaborative support for the planned global Institute and its goals.

THIS PROPOSAL -What follows is a proposal for the critical first three years of the Institute's activities. The components of work to be undertaken during this time period are divided into two parallel activity streams, namely; 1.Regional Consultation and Program Development, 2. Capacity Building and Training, 3. Regional Consultation and Program Development.

1. REGIONAL CONSULTATION AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT -The Global Institute must have its roots in strong regional programs, in each of four primary regions. Consultation will be held and initial program development will begin related to the needs of the Indigenous peoples in each region. The four regions are: Meso and South America; Asia and the Pacific; Africa and the Mid East; North America. For each of these regions, lead country or Indigenous/tribal programs will be identified. These programs will all involve the following four dimensions of the International Institute Work.

1. Basic applied research for sustainable development;
2. Capacity building and training of Indigenous peoples;
3. Connecting Indigenous people together for mutual cooperation and support;
4. Linking Indigenous peoples for sustainable development.

By the end of the first three years:

1. The regional programs will be actively serving the needs of Indigenous peoples in those regions;
2. A worldwide technical assistance and training program (i.e. both accredited and non-formal training) will be bringing concrete help to Indigenous peoples in the regions;
3. A worldwide communications and exchange network will be up and running through which Indigenous people will be enabled to share their experience and knowledge with each other;
4. Specific linkages will be established through which Indigenous expertise will be informing global deliberations on key issues such as the environment;
5. The International Institute will establish a home base, and its core program activities will be well underway;
6. A number of profit making ventures will be underway, in particular with Indigenous peoples to contribute to the maintenance and progressive expansion of the work of the Regional and International Institutes, (this would be in addition the primary socio-economic benefits the providers/producers would receive).

1. Regional priorities and projects will be identified;
2. Regional Indigenous Science Centers will be established in partnership with existing Indigenous groups;
3. Specific needs for initial support and help form the International Institute will be defined; and
4. An Indigenous (Regional) Advisory Council will be established.

This proposal includes a request for funding to support the entire consultation and planning process as described above.

2. EDUCATION AND TRAINING- Capacity building and training of sustainable development leaders within Indigenous communities has been universally identified as a critical need common to Indigenous people the world over. For this reason Four Worlds has been working with tribal communities and organizations in North America, as well as with several universities and colleges to develop an innovative capacity building and training program that would have the following features:

• participatory - in which learners are co-educators;
• culturally appropriate - IN WHICH THE KNOWLEDGE SYSTEMS AND WAYS OF LEARNING OF A PEOPLE ARE BUILT INTO THE PROGRAM;
• community based - in which the seat of learning and focus of the program is wherever the learners are;
• practical - in that it is a hands on learning approach that is directly connected to ongoing development work (i.e., on the job training);
• virtual - in that the program resides in a web of relationships, and not in bricks and mortar, and that these interconnections are sustained and enhanced by media technology such as inter-net and interactive television;
• low cost - especially when compared to the high overhead programs offered by existing institutions of higher learning.

This proposal is seeking funds to support the pilot launching of the College and of the Human and Community Development Leadership Program (for further details see annex A.)