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INST 301 Assignment 2
Essay Response: Units 3 & 4
Nicole Fraser
Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services, Athabasca University
INST 301: Indigenous Education
Liana Gallant
March 18, 2025
Essay Response: Units 3 & 4
Unit 3
As described by Cajete (2000), Indigenous science is “based on its own merits,
conceptual framework, and practice and orientation in the tribal contexts in which it is
expressed.” It is woven into every aspect of life and existence and serves as a fundamental
framework and foundation for taking action (Cajete, 2000). Cajete (2000) also states,
"Indigenous science embodies the natural system characteristics of diversity, optimization,
cooperation, self-regulation, change, creativity, connectedness, and niche.” It is the
responsibility of each person to acquire knowledge (Athabasca University, 2017c). One of the
tools of Indigenous science is instrumentation. Indigenous science relies on the preparation of
the mind, body, and spirit of each person as the primary vehicle of "coming to know"(Cajete,
2000). “Coming to know” happens by observing, listening, and engaging in firsthand
experiences— through action (Athabasca University, 2017c). Structured learning,
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contemplation, and introspection are all components of the educational journey (Athabasca
University, 2017c). Teachers are there to support and enable this process. Elders offer wisdom
and assist in the learning experience (Athabasca University, 2017c). Yupiaq's philosophy and
lifeways express that Indigenous science is based on maintaining and sustaining relationships
among human, natural, and spiritual words (Cajete, 2000). Through direct experience,
participation, and social and ceremonial situations, learning about key relationships is facilitated
(Athabasca University, 2017c).
Indigenous science originates from a profound belief in maintaining a correct
relationship with the environment, which is learned through hands-on experiences in specific
landscapes and through communal and ceremonial practices that enable tribe members to
understand essential relationships through involvement and their “ella,” as referred to by the
Yupiaq (Cajete, 2000). There are many methodological elements and tools of Indigenous science
that have traditionally facilitated learning (Cajete, 2000). Meticulous observations of flora and
fauna, climate conditions, astronomical occurrences, medicinal healing, the formations of
natural objects, and the interrelations within ecosystems (Cajete, 2000). In Native science, there
is no intentional effort to misrepresent a natural occurrence beyond mere observation (Cajete,
2000). Indigenous peoples have historically continuously engaged in practical experimentation
to discover effective methods for thriving in different environments, creating clever and
environmentally suitable technologies (Cajete, 2000). Meaning and understanding were the
priorities of Indigenous science rather than a need to predict and control (Cajete, 2000).
Meaningful relationships and an understanding of one's responsibilities to those entities in
nature that people depended on were the reasons for an Indigenous science, which invited a
INST 301 Assignment 2
Essay Response: Units 3 & 4
Nicole Fraser
Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services, Athabasca University
INST 301: Indigenous Education
Liana Gallant
March 18, 2025
Essay Response: Units 3 & 4
Unit 3
As described by Cajete (2000), Indigenous science is “based on its own merits,
conceptual framework, and practice and orientation in the tribal contexts in which it is
expressed.” It is woven into every aspect of life and existence and serves as a fundamental
framework and foundation for taking action (Cajete, 2000). Cajete (2000) also states,
"Indigenous science embodies the natural system characteristics of diversity, optimization,
cooperation, self-regulation, change, creativity, connectedness, and niche.” It is the
responsibility of each person to acquire knowledge (Athabasca University, 2017c). One of the
tools of Indigenous science is instrumentation. Indigenous science relies on the preparation of
the mind, body, and spirit of each person as the primary vehicle of "coming to know"(Cajete,
2000). “Coming to know” happens by observing, listening, and engaging in firsthand
experiences— through action (Athabasca University, 2017c). Structured learning,
, 2
contemplation, and introspection are all components of the educational journey (Athabasca
University, 2017c). Teachers are there to support and enable this process. Elders offer wisdom
and assist in the learning experience (Athabasca University, 2017c). Yupiaq's philosophy and
lifeways express that Indigenous science is based on maintaining and sustaining relationships
among human, natural, and spiritual words (Cajete, 2000). Through direct experience,
participation, and social and ceremonial situations, learning about key relationships is facilitated
(Athabasca University, 2017c).
Indigenous science originates from a profound belief in maintaining a correct
relationship with the environment, which is learned through hands-on experiences in specific
landscapes and through communal and ceremonial practices that enable tribe members to
understand essential relationships through involvement and their “ella,” as referred to by the
Yupiaq (Cajete, 2000). There are many methodological elements and tools of Indigenous science
that have traditionally facilitated learning (Cajete, 2000). Meticulous observations of flora and
fauna, climate conditions, astronomical occurrences, medicinal healing, the formations of
natural objects, and the interrelations within ecosystems (Cajete, 2000). In Native science, there
is no intentional effort to misrepresent a natural occurrence beyond mere observation (Cajete,
2000). Indigenous peoples have historically continuously engaged in practical experimentation
to discover effective methods for thriving in different environments, creating clever and
environmentally suitable technologies (Cajete, 2000). Meaning and understanding were the
priorities of Indigenous science rather than a need to predict and control (Cajete, 2000).
Meaningful relationships and an understanding of one's responsibilities to those entities in
nature that people depended on were the reasons for an Indigenous science, which invited a
