Science and First Nations oral tradition are converging

[maryjane48]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/technology/scien ... -1.3853799




The long history of First Nations people isn't one that can be found in books. Instead, it is a rich documentation detailed throughout time — a collective enterprise carried on by tradition and culture.

Oral tradition has often been discounted as just stories — but science is proving that the facts behind those stories certainly shouldn't be discounted.


confirmation that the Metlakatla First Nation has been in the region for thousands of years — something the Metlakatla have long asserted through oral tradition.

The researchers also found that roughly 175 years ago, the population of Coast Tsimshian in the region declined by as much as 57 per cent. This coincides with colonization and the spread of diseases such as smallpox, the accounts of which have also been passed down in First Nations oral tradition.

"Science is starting to be used to basically corroborate what we've been saying all along,

[Rosemary1]

Yes, oral history that can be corroborated by science is the closest that we can get to some level of confidence in its accuracy and reliability. With or without such corroboration it can still be a valued part of tradition and culture.

However, oral history without reasonable scientific corroboration becomes an issue when given weight in legal litigations.The test for accuracy and reliability of information used in legal cases should be rigorous and robust at best of times. It's hard to see how oral history alone can adequately meet such tests.

I say this because even with written accounts, historians, archeologists and others do not always agree on the reliability or accuracy of actual written accounts left by ancient civilizations with a written language. Written historical records are subject to varying interpretation over years and generations. We see this even with more modern written historical accounts where various reiterations and interpretations sometimes leave us wondering what is the real truth.

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[maryjane48]

yes thats why were burial sites might be disturbed archeological evidence would be the proof needed to halt disturbances and treaty land boundries

[the truth]

http://www.cbc.ca/books/2012/04/first-a ... uirks.html try not to dig to deep you might not like what you find---- stone age Europeans--

[twobits]

Native traditions handed down by oral history might be more respected and accepted if it wasn't constantly used as a tool for extortion.

[the truth]

that's for sure

[maryjane48]

Native traditions handed down by oral history might be more respected and accepted if it wasn't constantly used as a tool for extortion.

sorry pal but deals were made , talk to the govt

[twobits]

sorry pal but deals were made , talk to the govt

Sorry gal, but when you talk to the gov't, you are talking to us since the extortion funds ultimately come from our pockets and not some money tree dropping cash as fruit you call Gov't. So forgive me if I get just a little bit pizzed when you claim 135% of the land mass of BC and now even Ottawa and Parliament Hill. All from fruit from your money tree.
When you send some reasonable folks to the bargaining table, you will get a fair settlement. Keep up the current demands and very many of us are willing to stonewall you for another 150 yrs until your culture and heritage is so diluted, no one will care anymore. Just like Europe.

[jamapple]

sorry pal but deals were made , talk to the govt

I see you didn't read the link that truth posted. Very interesting read. Maybe you should read it, mj.

[techrtr]

Uuuuummmm, this isn't really anything new or earth shattering. The importance of oral traditions has been recognized since forever, not just for First Nations people. Let's face it, everyone has pre-literate ancestors who passed their history and traditions on orally to succeeding generations. As far as First Nations stories corroborating a smallpox epidemic 175 years ago - well no $&*^, that was all well documented at the time it happened. As well, what band in their right mind isn't going to claim that they occupied a piece of land for several thousand years? That's a no brainer.

There was pre-contact conflict and warfare in BC and other parts of Canada. What will be interesting is when one band makes a claim to part of another band's territory on the grounds that it was taken from them.