RECOGNIZING OTHER WAYS OF KNOWING − THE INTERINSTITUTIONAL CONSORTIUM FOR INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE

ICIK, the Interinstitutional Consortium for Indigenous Knowledge, is based at Penn State within the University Libraries. The mission of ICIK is to build collaborative relationships that lead to interdisciplinary research related to indigenous ways of knowing. Such knowledge, generally passed down through oral traditions, reflects thousands of years of experimentation and learning related to climate, natural resources, and many other topics. As the world seeks answers to problems related to disease, famine, resource and ethnic conflict, indigenous knowledge has value for not only its cultural underpinnings but for the solutions and insights it can offer to scientists and others.

The consortium seeks to expand its network of scientists and scholars through communication and community building. Communication outlets include the ICIK listserv, newsletter, and the recently launched an open access journal IK: Other Ways of Knowing. This peer reviewed journal publishes original research and review articles and is particularly interested in works reflecting indigenous perspectives and understanding in the earth and environmental sciences. ICIK builds community via workshops, webinars, support for collecting IK-related resources, development of bibliographies, scholarships, and educational resources. An example of this is AcademIK Connections, a video series designed to aid in introducing indigenous knowledge concepts into classroom settings. The series, comprised of 12 video clips, each 5–8 minutes in length, focuses on a particular thematic area – education, sustainability, and so on.

ICIK is part of a global network comprised of more than 20 indigenous knowledge resource centers in the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa, and Oceania. ICIK is the only currently-active global indigenous knowledge resource center located in the United States. Collaboration and partnerships are welcome as we seek to preserve and celebrate the contributions from indigenous ways of knowing.