In Addition to the Western World View: Talking to Rocks

A number of events this week remind me of the world of multiple perspectives. One was a post-graduation survey I took from the last institution I attended asking whether diverse cultural perspectives were present in course readings, discussions, and assignments. Then this afternoon I was talking to a colleague who is advising on a science curriculum that also includes cultural competencies.

As synchronicity would have it, a past student posted this video on her FB page today. It added to my memory of a Vine Deloria, Jr. book that talked about the Lakota description of rocks as envoys between the earth and other beings. Albert here also takes the discussion to what it is to a being in the Lakota culture in contrast to the Western explanation.

Rocks are Relatives from Jennifer Page on Vimeo.