Editorial Commentary on the IJGI Special Issue “Mapping Indigenous Knowledge in the Digital Age”

Thumbadoo, Romola; Taylor, Frances

doi:10.3390/ijgi11070363

Cited by 2 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 10 publications

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“…A multitude of case studies and successful implementations of Indigenous-led participatory mapping approaches are described in the 2022 "International Journal for Geo-Information (IJGI) Special Issue on Mapping Indigenous Knowledge in the Digital Age" [71]. One study describes a stepwise process of a participatory workshop development and implementation by Andrade-Sanchez and Eaton-Gonza'lez [72] in working with the Kumeyaay Peoples of Baja California.…”

Section: Applied Geomatics and Knowledge Co-productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meeting the Challenges of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through Holistic Systems Thinking and Applied Geospatial Ethics

Caudill,

Pulsifer,

Thumbadoo

et al. 2024

IJGI

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The halfway point for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) was marked in 2023, as set forth in the 2030 Agenda. Geospatial technologies have proven indispensable in assessing and tracking fundamental components of each of the 17 SDGs, including climatological and ecological trends, and changes and humanitarian crises and socio-economic impacts. However, gaps remain in the capacity for geospatial and related digital technologies, like AI, to provide a deeper, more comprehensive understanding of the complex and multi-factorial challenges delineated in the SDGs. Lack of progress toward these goals, and the immense implementation challenges that remain, call for inclusive and holistic approaches, coupled with transformative uses of digital technologies. This paper reviews transdisciplinary, holistic, and participatory approaches to address gaps in ethics and diversity in geospatial and related technologies and to meet the pressing need for bottom-up, community-driven initiatives. Small-scale, community-based initiatives are known to have a systemic and aggregate effect toward macro-economic and global environmental goals. Cybernetic systems thinking approaches are the conceptual framework investigated in this study, as these approaches suggest that a decentralized, polycentric system—for example, each community acting as one node in a larger, global system—has the resilience and capacity to create and sustain positive change, even if it is counter to top-down decisions and mechanisms. Thus, this paper will discuss how holistic systems thinking—societal, political, environmental, and economic choices considered in an interrelated context—may be central to building true resilience to climate change and creating sustainable development pathways. Traditional and Indigenous knowledge (IK) systems around the world hold holistic awareness of human-ecological interactions—practicable, reciprocal relationships developed over time as a cultural approach. This cultural holistic approach is also known as Systemic Literacy, which considers how systems function beyond “mechanical” aspects and include political, philosophical, psychological, emotional, relational, anthropological, and ecological dimensions. When Indigenous-led, these dimensions can be unified into participatory, community-centered conservation practices that support long-term human and environmental well-being. There is a growing recognition of the criticality of Indigenous leadership in sustainability practices, as well as that partnerships with Indigenous peoples and weaving knowledge systems, as a missing link to approaching global ecological crises. This review investigates the inequality in technological systems—the “digital divide” that further inhibits participation by communities and groups that retain knowledge of “place” and may offer the most transformative solutions. Following the review and synthesis, this study presents cybernetics as a bridge of understanding to Indigenous systems thinking. As non-Indigenous scholars, we hope that this study serves to foster informed, productive, and respectful dialogues so that the strength of diverse knowledges might offer whole-systems approaches to decision making that tackle wicked problems. Lastly, we discuss use cases of community-based processes and co-developed geospatial technologies, along with ethical considerations, as avenues toward enhancing equity and making advances in democratizing and decolonizing technology.

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Section: Applied Geomatics and Knowledge Co-productionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Meeting the Challenges of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through Holistic Systems Thinking and Applied Geospatial Ethics

Caudill,

Pulsifer,

Thumbadoo

et al. 2024

IJGI

Self Cite

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“…Libraries and cultural institutions create digital archives and repositories to store and organize various digital formats related to indigenous knowledge. Digital maps can also be used, where geospatial data and digital mapping technologies represent indigenous knowledge linked to specific locations such as sacred sites, hunting grounds and places of cultural significance (Cole and Hart, 2021; Olson et al, 2016; Thumbadoo and Taylor, 2022). Curating digital exhibitions and online collections helps showcase indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage to a global audience.…”

Section: Formats Of Indigenous Knowledge In the Digital Eramentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The digital era brings with it unprecedented opportunities for librarians to collaborate with indigenous communities in preserving and disseminating their cultural heritage. Digital repositories, online archives and innovative technologies can facilitate wider access to indigenous knowledge beyond geographical limitations (Hodder and Beckingham, 2022; Hunter, 2005; Stevens, 2008; Thumbadoo and Taylor, 2022). Nevertheless, this transformation also brings its share of challenges, and librarians must navigate these complexities with cultural sensitivity and ethical responsibility to ensure that indigenous knowledge is respected, protected and valued in the digital realm.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Librarians’ role in the preservation and dissemination of indigenous knowledge

Chigwada,

Ngulube

2023

IFLA Journal

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In the era of digital innovation, the preservation of indigenous knowledge stands at a compelling intersection of heritage and technology. Librarians play a crucial role in navigating the complexities of technology while respecting cultural protocols. Through a comprehensive exploration of librarian practices, this study sought to unpack how indigenous knowledge can be ethically preserved in the digital landscape. A qualitative study was conducted with 20 librarians in Zimbabwe, who were purposively selected. Interviews and observation were used to collect data, which was analysed using thematic content analysis. The findings reveal that libraries preserved indigenous knowledge in the form of poetry, folklore, drama and artefacts; demonstrated traditional dances; and sometimes recorded live sessions and special collections. The major challenges being faced were the ethical issues in documenting indigenous knowledge. It is recommended that librarians actively work with indigenous communities in indigenous knowledge projects to avoid resistance from knowledge holders.

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Editorial Commentary on the IJGI Special Issue “Mapping Indigenous Knowledge in the Digital Age”

Cited by 2 publications

References 10 publications

Meeting the Challenges of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through Holistic Systems Thinking and Applied Geospatial Ethics

Meeting the Challenges of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through Holistic Systems Thinking and Applied Geospatial Ethics

Librarians’ role in the preservation and dissemination of indigenous knowledge

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