Cultural Connections

I read the chapter called “The Gift of Strawberries.” It’s about gift economy compared to market economy. Wild strawberries are a gift from the Earth, rather than market strawberries that are grown and sold by a producer. When things are viewed as a gift from the Earth, they involve gratitude and reciprocity. Reciprocity means taking care of the earth as it cares for us. Taking without caring for something is not a reciprocal relationships. This piece of Indigenous wisdom aligns with climate action and is part of the First Peoples Principles of Learning. Consumerism from the store does not provoke the same feelings of gratitude or sustainability as harvesting from nature or even a planted food garden.

Indigenous peoples have cared for the land since time immemorial. Before Europeans made contact in North America, Indigenous peoples had a reciprocal relationship with the land. They harvested what they needed and were grateful to the land for it’s gifts. The devastation the European settlers caused, especially with carbon emissions since the industrial revolution, has caused irreversible consequences and ecological turmoil. However, the understanding and knowledge of Indigenous elders provides guidance on how to change this. Indigenous Guardians are applying these principles to protect the land and animals. They’re also contributing to western science research by collecting data instead of non-local researchers traveling to collect data.