For thousands of years, humans have been able to live sustainably without technological aids. To do this required an intimate understanding of the local natural systems, probably much trial and error, and the passage of information from one generation to the next. Reverence and gratitude for the resources provided, the strong incentive to find food and medicines, and the use of storytelling all played a role in developing successful systems. As a result, Indigenous people have developed specific knowledge bases about plants, animals, and the local systems. In addition, they developed an ethic of caretaking what nourished and protected them. What happened to that?

Living on Lava

On a recent trip to Hawaii, I visited Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park (without staff -consistent with staff reduction in many of our national parks) that was preserving and sharing the story of a group that calls a very inhospitable lava rock shore their home. Why would people choose such a harsh location to build their dwellings? The answer comes from the knowledge of the water cycle. As the saltwater ocean moisture blows into the hillside, it unloads as rain. The freshwater rain runs down the mountain and recharges the groundwater. This provided an ample drinking water source. As the tide came in, it carried loads of fish that could be trapped. Some of those were consumed as the primary food source. But some were harvested to be propagated in salt/freshwater ponds for future consumption. The interaction of the ocean, atmosphere, and land has provided sustenance there for a population that worked with the local system.

Fire as a Land Management Tool

Here on the mainland, indigenous people have also developed land management practices that enhance the land’s productivity. I recently heard a story of how fire was used for prescribed burns instrumental in producing as much as 30% of a group’s food and medicine that came from forests. It is ironic that Smokey the Bear preached fire prevention for decades, and now we have it as an academic Fire Science discipline. And as climate conditions bring more fires closer to urban areas, fire is a growing concern soon to be part of some homeowner association’s covenants in California.

Are Floods a Friend or Foe?

Many civilizations have relied on the nutrient-rich seasonal flood waters from rivers to nourish their crops. Floods were welcome. But as our priorities have changed, we have placed permanent structures in these flood plains areas. Consequently, many dwellings and even whole towns have been washed out. Building levees helps locally but creates increased threats downstream as the natural process of seasonal flooding is prevented and even more water now flows downstream. Preventing new building in floodplains helps, but as the climate shifts, so does the size of these flood zones.

Who are the Fools?

When explorers and later settlers converged upon the shores of North America, many viewed the native people as unintelligent and savage. Looking at ourselves today, we might wonder who the fools are. Who has made the water undrinkable and the skies toxic? Who produces crops that make the land infertile? Who depletes the non-renewable resources that we rely upon?

Knowledge Transfer

Is it too late to listen to the wisdom of the people who lived here sustainably? Native Americans were removed from our region in the 1830’s, but many remained and have returned to nearly every urban community., especially Chicago. Opportunities for storytelling and passing along cultural knowledge are being lost in consequence.  Elders have lost their role as keepers of knowledge. And further respect has been lost with very rapid technological advances. Times are changing. Today, I learned about vertical shorts, a popular form of storytelling in 60-120 second bits with over 500 episodes. Perfect for those who only have micro windows to be entertained in our fast-paced world. Native people listened to the Earth and learned its stories. We can listen to their stories, and we can study their ways. We can take some lessons and apply them to our lives as best we can. Consider these very basic lessons.

Community Centered

Fundamental is to think as a community. Care for one another. In many indigenous cultures, all resources are shared, and individual possessions are few. This is not to say you should have an estate sale where everything is free. Instead, engage in  a mindset of community wealth. Give what you can to others in need. It need not be material objects. Care about your neighbors, friends, and colleagues. 

Humans Are a Component of Nature

Realize that your community is part of a natural community. Plants, fungi, insects, birds and others are trying to coexist with our intrusion. Take notice and avoid unnecessary threats like chemical applications. Consider adding native vegetation to your site. View plants and animals as people, not humans, but living beings that had a mother and have a home. Humans took a disastrous turn away from sustainability when we saw ourselves as superior to other organisms. Learn more about nature, and you will be impressed and humbled. 

Biophillia

Biophillia is the term coined by Harvard naturalist Dr. E.O. Wilson to describe what he saw as humanity’s “innate tendency to focus on life and lifelike processes” and to be drawn toward nature, to feel an affinity for it, a love, a craving. It should be noted that Dr. Wilson is an ant enthusiast. The base of a tree can bring him a full day’s wonder and enjoyment just watching their world. 

Developing a relationship with the natural community is a good way to begin a shift in mindset toward the perspectives our ancestors had on their environment.

Sit Spot

Next week in the Better Friend column, I will offer a process to help you on that journey of listening to the Earth: The Sit Spot as a tool for communing with nature.