Standing for Unči Maka (Grandmother Earth) and all Life: An Introduction to Lakota Traditional Sciences, Principles and Protocols and the Birth of a New Era of Scientific Collaboration

Abstract

Lakota science and scientific systems were communally developed over thousands of years with sustainability, alignment and ecological balance as the goals. Lakota knowledge keepers, traditional leaders and scholars offer an introduction to Lakota scientific systems, principles and protocols to stimulate a much needed dialogue between Indigenous scientists and the mainstream scientific, economic and political communities. As is customary protocol-wise, the Lakota always follow &Scaron;ungwakaŋ, the Horse Nation. Here, the Lakota provide narrative correction with regard to their relationship with &Scaron;ungwakaŋ, their history, sciences, perspectives, scientific systems, and clarification regarding their sacred commitment to protect Unči Maka (Grandmother Earth) and all life. A case is made for the birthing of a new, truly collaborative era for Science that is based upon equality and mutual respect, fully embracing the contributions and concepts of unique scientific systems. With climate change upon us, the world can no longer afford to have Indigenous scientific systems suppressed or their voices actively ignored and silenced within science and academia. There is only one Earth, and she is calling out for us to come together for the protection of all life. Mitakuye Oyasiŋ.</p