Rooted in the Land- Ethnobotany in Alaska
A film by Alexis Griffee.
Embark on a journey to Alaska, the Last Frontier, where ancient traditions meet scientific discovery. This documentary unveils the fascinating world of ethnobotany, exploring the profound relationship between indigenous cultures and the plants that sustain them. Prepare to be captivated as we delve into the heart of Alaska’s ecosystem, where science and culture intertwine to reveal the secrets of the natural world.
This film was created at See Stories’ Professional Development Retreat for Educators in Homer Alaska, in June 2024 as part of the Digital Storytelling as a Culturally Responsive Teaching Tool course.
Classroom Guide
Essential Questions
- How do Alaska Native peoples traditionally use and manage plant species, and how does this knowledge contribute to modern scientific understanding of ecosystems?
- What are the ecological roles of native Alaskan plants, and how can understanding these roles inform sustainable environmental practices?
- How does the relationship between humans and plants reflect broader principles of interdependence and sustainability in both traditional and scientific contexts?
- What scientific methods can we use to study native plant species, and how do these methods align with or differ from Alaska Native observational practices and land stewardship?
- How can we best use/leverage technology to document these connections and preserve both scientific information and Alaskan Native ways of knowing?
Standards
- Standard: NGSS LS2.A - Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
- Standard: NGSS LS4.D - Biodiversity and Humans
- Standard: NGSS ESS3.C - Human Impacts on Earth Systems
Workshop Info
These films were created at See Stories' Professional Development Retreat for Educators in Homer Alaska, in June 2024 as part of the Digital Storytelling as a Culturally Responsive Teaching Tool course.
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Land Acknowledgement
This video was filmed on Dena'ina Land. Learn more about land acknowledgements at native-land.ca.