Module 4: Ecological Issues in Indigenous Education and Technology
Entry 3: Indigenous relationship with the buffalo
I was lucky enough to be in the car when this replay of CBC Radio’s Ideas: The Buffalo was playing. This 3-part radio series originally aired in 2020 and tells the story of the Indigenous people’s relationship with the buffalo. The part that piqued my interest was the discussion of the buffalo hunt and the technology used by the Indigenous people to control buffalo herds. We talk about technology in this class, but I really liked the perspective on how living in close connection with the land and observing the world allowed communities to meet their needs without what we consider “technology”. In addition, hearing a variety of people tell their stories is a very grounding experience. I have only listened to part one, but I am finishing it up this week.
CBC Radio. (2020). Ideas: The buffalo. [Audio]. https://www.cbc.ca/radio/ideas/radio-series-explores-revered-relationship-between-indigenous-peoples-and-the-buffalo-1.5735457
Allison,
You bring up such an excellent point regarding the most common connotations of the world “technology”. We tend to associate the term with electronic tools (e.g., computers, tablets, mobile phones), but in actuality any tool can be considered a piece of “technology”. Indigenous tools for herding, hunting, and craftsmanship can all be considered under the umbrella, and are unique in their connection to the land. Great post!
Hi Allison,
Yes, great post. I have listened to the first couple episodes. I played the second while in the truck with my boys, and they were so quiet listening to the telling of the story of the buffalo. Indigenous technology is so intriguing, especially because how it uses resources from and of the land, so there is no waste.
Neal
I just happen to catch this on CBC this week and did not realize it was a multi part series. Head Smashed in Buffalo Jump, shown in the article, has an excellent interpretive center. My family visited there a couple summers ago and they go through the complex steps taking during the buffalo hunts.