Biden Administration’s Risky Shift: Embracing ‘Indigenous Knowledge’ over Science
Indigenous Knowledge: From Fringe Theory to Federal Policy
Just five days before President Joe Biden entered the White House, his team handed the Washington Post an exclusive story: Biden would keep his campaign promise of “following the science” by turning the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy into a cabinet-level agency.
On Nov. 30, 2022, that office did something rather unscientific: It issued a memorandum directing more than two dozen federal agencies to apply “Indigenous Knowledge” to “research, policies, and decision making.” The 42-page document encourages the agencies to speak with ”spiritual leaders” and reject “methodological dogma” when crafting policy as a way to remedy injustices against Native peoples.
Federal regulators are to consider the folk wisdom of the Comanche Nation, for instance, just as they consider lab results when trying to determine the pH level of rain. Long relegated to university campuses and fringe activist groups, the idea that Native people have a privileged understanding of the physical and metaphysical world is now the official view of the United States government.
The Definition of Indigenous Knowledge
With nearly 600 federally recognized Native tribes in the United States alone, there is no single definition of Indigenous Knowledge. Defenders and critics of the idea agree that, broadly speaking, it constitutes the traditions, stories, and religious rituals passed down orally through generations of Native Americans and aborigines in places like Australia.
This investigation is based on a Washington Free Beacon review of previously unreported federal documents, hours of recorded lectures by federal officials, and interviews with nearly a dozen experts, many of whom declined to speak publicly due to fear of reprisal. Together, the materials show how a once-fringe theory made its way to the heart of the federal government and shine a light on the Democratic Party’s struggle to balance its commitment to ”the science” with its commitment to “inclusivity.”
Controversies and Risks
The U.S. government is not the first to embrace Indigenous Knowledge. Canada began incorporating Indigenous Knowledge into policymaking in the latter half of the 20th century, often with counterproductive results. A 2006 Canadian academic assessment concluded that “the acceptance of spiritual beliefs as ‘knowledge’ by governments was dangerous because it could be used to justify any activity, including actions that were environmentally destructive.”
Use of Indigenous Knowledge as evidence in Highly Influential Scientific Assessments poses serious risks, experts told the Free Beacon.
“This is extremely dangerous,” said Anna Krylov, a professor of science, engineering, and chemistry at the University of Southern California. “When I conduct experiments, I need to follow the rules and procedures and think about safety. I have to keep track of what I’m doing. I’m not thinking about chants, or dancing.”
The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Federal Policymaking
In addition to the Office of Science and Technology Policy memo, the White House has released more than three dozen documents that favorably cite Indigenous Knowledge. Federal agencies have held dozens of seminars on the topic as well.
However, the use of Indigenous Knowledge in federal policymaking has raised concerns. Critics argue that it lacks a clear definition and can be subjective. The potential risks of incorporating spiritual beliefs into scientific assessments have also been highlighted.
While some tribes support the inclusion of Indigenous Knowledge, others have sought to shield it from public access and scrutiny.
As the debate continues, the role of Indigenous Knowledge in shaping federal policies remains a contentious issue.
" Conservative News Daily does not always share or support the views and opinions expressed here; they are just those of the writer."
*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases
Now loading...