Bridging, Braiding, and Weaving Indigenous and Western Science to Understand and Make Predictions About Weather and Climate Change

Abstract

In this study, Indigenous Knowledge Holders were gathered in a collaborative forum to discuss weather, in particular, Indigenous Science knowledge related to severe weather, climate change, and weather prediction methods. Weather forecasting methods that arose in discussion were further explored based on a framework of Bridging, Braiding, and Weaving knowledge systems. Numerous Indigenous Science-based weather prediction methods were documented, with most lending themselves to follow-up testing. The Knowledge Holders emphasized that Indigenous Science is an important component within the broader domain of Indigenous Traditional Knowledge, with current and historic empirical and holistic insights into natural phenomena. There was consensus among the Knowledge Holders that Indigenous Science should not be perceived as subordinate to Western methodologies but instead viewed as a complementary and equivalent knowledge system. This paper underscores the importance of a co-produced approach to research where Indigenous Knowledge Holders share their expertise to enrich and inform Western research design, including the interpretation of study results and the implementation of subsequent policy and decision-making. We provide examples of Bridging, Braiding, and Weaving Indigenous Science using weather-related phenomena, such as animal behavior, atmospheric patterns, and plant growth indicators, while also offering insights into the impacts of climate change and severe weather.