5 Comments

Thanks. The indigenous people today have today's science to use in doing a better job of controlled, restorative burning. They are ignored by leftist politicians but they keep voting for them anyway. That is where things could improve but it takes courage to break from tradition.

Expand full comment

Hi Stacy - great research and writing, I am VERY interested in your series. Nancy

Expand full comment
author

Nancy, thank you so much!

Expand full comment

Stacy: Good stuff. Question, how did the indigenous tribes pass on their fire control methodology from generation to generation. Oral tradition? It seems that the record of what they did in more recent history is being described by the settlers and tribal elders. But how do you confirm the earlier methods? Just wondering. Martin.

Expand full comment
author

Tribal knowledge was passed from generation to generation similarly to how any culture passes things down- by cultural practice, oral storytelling, and teachings. There is no way to go back in time as ask people who aren't here anymore, but this knowledge is part of Indigenous knowing right now, which means it was part of the same knowing in the past. Scientists can read past burn patterns through tree rings, soil data, and sedimentation, which confirms some of that which has been observed.

Expand full comment