Journal of Native Sciences

This open access online journal gives preference to publishing high impact articles written by Americans Indians, Alaska Natives and other Indigenous peoples. We also publish infographics, maps, and other forms of media. The goal of this journal is to provide a place where individuals can share, access information, and humbly offer strategies for issues facing Native, Indigenous, Aborigine, American Indian, and First Nations peoples.

Most Current Publications

Beaver as Educator: A Summer Program for Native American Youth

Beaver as Educator: A Summer Program for Native American Youth by Ed Galindo, Sky Pete, Chris Cleveland, Barb Pete, Casey Bartrem, Tod Shockey, and Lori Lambert, 24 May 2022

Abstract This essay seeks to understand the many “ways” or modalities that American Indian students and the community learns and understand new concepts. We provide insights into the reasons of “why” and “how” American Indian people gain new knowledge. We provide an examination of four days of instruction to American Indian students on the Duck Valley reservation in Southern Idaho and Northern Nevada. The first educational objective was to understand the process to capture some “problem” beavers in live traps and move them to a more suitable stream on the mountains of the reservation. Our second educational objective introduced students to the methods of measuring water quality and reporting these findings. To build these American Indian students understanding of water analysis, students investigated the water quality of the beaver habitat and compared these results to the water quality in their homes. Inherent in these objectives was the appropriate and safe handling of the beavers, both for the sake of the beaver as well as the safety of the students. We provide evidence that learning can occur both outside and inside a classroom. Through the learning process of “Two-Eyed Seeing” developed by Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall, it becomes clear that the consideration of Indigenous World Views and Western Science methods can lead to richer understandings.

The Palouse Prairie, A Vanishing Indigenous Peoples Garden

The Palouse Prairie, A Vanishing Indigenous Peoples Garden by Cleve Davis, 2 February 2019

Abstract Native biodiversity has countless benefits to all peoples, but probably no more so than the people of Indigenous societies. However, with global biodiversity declining at unprecedented rates the loss is contributing to the erosion of Indigenous cultures, languages, and health. One place, where biodiversity decline has occurred at an excessive level is the Palouse prairie in the Pacific northwest. Prior to contact with Euro-Americans, the Palouse prairie was once a vast garden for Indigenous peoples. Although Indigenous peoples have relied upon the biodiversity of the Palouse for millennia, very little of the natural prairie remains. The purpose of this study was to quantify what remains of the garden (prairie) and to assess the abundance of culturally important native plants. Using remote sensing, it was found that only 1.7% of the garden remains within the region. Analysis of plot-based data revealed the frequency of food, medicinal, and other beneficial native plants is low. Steps should be taken to preserve the genetic diversity of the region before threats eliminate important native plant species. Establishment and tending to natural gardens, legal protection of prairie, and incentives to landowners to conserve prairie on private lands may help reduce the decline of native plant biodiversity.

Best Practices on Publication Ethics

The aim of this journal is to create hope and positive change in the lives of Native peoples, inform and encourage discussion. Therefore, the following guidelines have been established. All papers must be based upon truthful information, which includes what is known as Native Science and Traditional Ecological Knowledge. In this spirit, the review process may require researchers to submit their information sources and data. We also have limited capacity to publish data, and if you are interested in publishing your data here let us know. As we strive for transparency, all funding source used to support the research must be identified on all submissions. The list of authors should also reflect those who contributed significant information towards the research. In other words, if your research involved work with Native peoples you should carefully consider how you are going to acknowledge these individuals, and whether they want to be acknowledged or not, well before conducting the research.

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