Week 8-Natalie Velazquez

The article "Earth Song as Storywork: Reclaiming indigenous knowledges" explores earth's songs and it's role in academia as the Indigenous believe earth has a song which we can listen to as a story. The article then argues that it's possible for Indigenous academics to combine their academic work with Indigenous ways of knowing. As earth's songs and storywork bring harmony to Indigenous academic work and is a vital part of Indigenous knowing. Songs are like stories to the Indigenous, they exchange these songs at gatherings and sing for the past, present and future generations. The songs and stories can help one know spirit and they are in harmony with the earth. These songs can also connect to one's culture and ancestors as there's songs for different geographical areas and countries. However, in order for songs to emerge one must set boundaries around work, so that there can be a balance between work and other sacred/free time. Furthermore, the article talks about being in tune with the present moment, because things are missed when one is distracted for too long or focuses on the past and future instead of what is happening now. Also to not be silent and to voice one's opinions and thoughts, just as the Indigenous people who are working in the academic environment are breaking

silence and voicing theirs. One question I have about this reading/topic is how might Indigenous ways of knowing impact academics in non Indigenous schools?