Ritayan Mitra

Indigenous legal scholar Aimée Craft discusses the historically troubled relationship between Western scientific traditions and different forms of indigenous knowledge. Generosity of spirit and mutual respect for different ways of knowing are crucial if we are to more effectively address common challenges such as climate change. She suggests that Western scientists can work together with indigenous peoples to move beyond the status quo, where indigenous knowledge systems are typically embraced only for their capacity to confirm mainstream scientific findings. Creating constructive dialogue and mutual respect between knowledge communities may be vital to our ability to come to terms with the socio-environmental challenges of the future.

Reflecting on the value of history as we prepare to meet present and future challenges, archaeologist Thomas McGovern notes that the past can be both an inspiration and a warning, as we now face change on an unprecedented scale in our own lifetimes.