The Alaska Native Knowledge Network is designed to serve as a resource for compiling and exchanging information related to Alaska Native knowledge systems and ways of knowing. It has been established to assist Native people, government agencies, educators and the general public in gaining access to the knowledge base that Alaska Natives have acquired through cumulative experience over millennia. The Alaska Federation of Natives and the University of Alaska, with support from the National Science Foundation, have formed the Alaska Native/Rural Education Consortium to provide support for the integration of Alaska Native knowledge and ways of knowing into the educational systems of Alaska. Anyone wishing to participate in the Alaska Native Knowledge Network or contribute to the development of the resources in this knowledge base is encouraged to contact the ANKN Coordinator at (907) 474-5086, or send an email message to fyankn@uaf.edu. For inquiries regarding the Alaska Native/Rural Education Consortium, contact Frank Hill, Alaska Federation of Natives at (907) 274-3611, or email to fnfwh@uaf.edu.
One great resource in the Alaska Native Knowledge website is a set of Guidelines for Respecting Cultural Knowledge. It is intended for native elders, authors, educators, writers, publishers, photographers, filmmakers, administrators, curriculum developers, researchers, language specialists, illustrators, community organizers and the general public.
The Alliance of Religion and Conservation (ARC) is a secular body that helps the major religions of the world develop their own environmental programs, based on their core teachings, beliefs and practices. ARC helps religions link with key environmental organizations, creating powerful alliances between faith communities and conservation groups. ARC was founded in 1995 by HRH Prince Philip. ARC’s Web site says: “Makkah in Saudi Arabia is sacred to Muslims; Varanasi in India is sacred to Hindus; Jerusalem is sacred to Christians, Jews and Muslims… There are millions of less–known places around the world that are also sacred – and many others that have been sacred in the past, or could be sacred in the future.” ARC’s Sacred Land Project reminds people that the landscape where they live can be as sacred as any holy land. The project was launched by the Archbishop of Canterbury in April 1997 with the aim of reviving and creating sacred sites in Britain and overseas.
The Association for Native Development in the Performing and Visual Arts, is a community-based and culturally-driven arts organization for Indigenous Artists in all of the artistic disciplines. ANDPVA provides venues, professional and artistic development opportunities, and learning forums for Indigenous artists through Visual Art Exhibits, Multi-Disciplinary Arts Festivals, Artists Workshops and their annual ArtsCamp for Native Youth. The Association, now in its 27th year, continues to follow the vision of its founder, the late Cree elder James Buller, who believed that performing and Visual Native artists gave power to the self-image of Native individuals and the entire communities. All of ANDPVA's programs are guided by both Elders and accomplished Indigenous artists who act as resource people, facilitators, advisors and mentors. ANDPVA sponsors numerous festivals, workshops, and art symposiums.
The Arts and Healing Network is dedicated to celebrating the connection between arts and healing. Their web site is an international resource for anyone interested in the healing potential of art, especially environmentalists, social activists, artists, art professionals, health care practitioners, and those challenged by illness. Founder Marion Weber says: “The Arts and Healing Network honors and supports the emergence of healing artists and recognizes them as essential catalysts for positive change.”
“Bullfrog Films is the leading source of videos about the environment, ecology, sustainable development, indigenous people, cultural diversity, and performing arts, music and dance.” Bullfrog distributes these documentaries produced by Christopher McLeod: In the Light of Reverence, The Four Corners: A National Sacrifice Area?, Downwind/Downstream, Poison in the Rockies and Voices of the Land.
“The Bureau of Land Management administers public lands within a framework of numerous laws. The most comprehensive of these is the Federal Land Policy and Management Act of 1976 (FLPMA). All Bureau policies, procedures and management actions must be consistent with FLPMA and the other laws that govern use of the public lands. It is the mission of the Bureau of Land Management to sustain the health, diversity and productivity of the public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.”
“The California Institute of Integral Studies is an accredited institution of higher learning and research that strives to embody spirit, intellect, and wisdom in service to individuals, communities, and the earth.”
Four Native American storytellers, one from each of the four directions, comprise the heart of Circle of Stories, a cutting-edge collaboration between filmmakers Hank Rogerson and Jilann Spitzmiller with the Independent Television Service (ITVS), CPB, and the Cultural Conservancy. Circle of Stories uses documentary film, photography, artwork and music to honor and explore Native American storytelling. In addition to stories, the Web site includes lesson plans, information about endangered languages and more.
A look at the fragile state of cultural diversity around the world. Worldwide 300 milion people retain an identity as indigenous peoples. Rooted in history and language, they are attached by myth and memory to a particular place on the planet. Cultures on the Edge is an on-line magazine dedicated to expanding dialogue and increasing global awareness of unique cultures, featuring photo essays, news and commentary.
“Earthworks (formerly the Mineral Policy Center) is a non-profit environmental organization dedicated to preventing the environmental impacts associated with irresponsible mining and mineral development, and to cleaning up pollution caused by past mining.”
“Consistent with the key principles of environmental education, our mission is to spread information and ideas that will help educators explore the environment and investigate current issues with students. We are building this resource for students, teachers and professionals that support K-12 environmental education, such as media specialists, inservice providers, nature center staff and curriculum developers.”
The Mashantucket Pequot Museum and Research Center, a new state-of-the-art, tribally owned-and-operated complex, brings to life the story of the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation, and serves as a major resource on the history of the Tribe, the histories and cultures of other tribes, and the region's natural history.
News and resources for the skeptical citizen from an award-winning magazine with a 25-year track record of investigative journalism and raising hell.
“The National Religious Partnership for the Environment is a federation of major American faith communities. With a commitment ‘to be ourselves, together,’ each of our faith groups is implementing distinctive programs on behalf of a common mission: We act in faith to cherish and protect God's creation. Our goal is to integrate commitment to global sustainability and environmental justice permanently into all aspects of religious life.” In January 1990, at a Global Forum of Spiritual and Parliamentary Leaders in Moscow, the late Dr. Carl Sagan presented an “Open Letter to the Religious Community” signed by 32 world-renowned scientists. In Moscow, 271 spiritual leaders from 83 countries signed their names to the document which was titled “Preserving and Cherishing the Earth: An Appeal for Joint Commitment in Science and Religion.” Click here to read the letter.
This non-profit organization has the following goals: to educate the public on environmental problems in Native American communities; to explore the values and historical experiences that Native Americans bring to bear on environmental issues; and to promote conservation measures that respect Native American land and resource rights.
Hosted by the Pluralism Project at Harvard University and coordinated by Research Affiliate Michael McNally, this site explores the intersection between law, religion, and Native American traditions in historic and recent cases - many of them pending - where Native American communities have sought protection for “sacred” lands, practices, objects, and human remains that are arguably, if not solely or plainly, matters of religious freedom.
The National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Bureau of Land Management and Capitol Reef National Monument’s “Cultural Site Etiquette” has discussion of ethics of observation and etiquette for visiting petroglyph and pictograph sites.
For images and interpretations of rock writing from around the West plus links to other rock art sites, check out the Web site of photographer James Q. Jacobs.
“The Sacred Earth Network is a non-profit (501(C)(3)) organization of environmentalists who believe that humanity must quickly restructure its relationship with the miraculous, interconnected living system that is our Earth. The Sacred Earth Network (SEN) was founded in 1985 and maintains offices in Petersham, Massachusetts and Moscow, Russia. SEN's mission is to inspire and empower activism in defense of the biosphere. ‘Deep Ecology,’ the term used to describe Earth-centered ethics, values, and practices, in combination with the conviction that personal and community empowerment is requisite for positive social change, is the philosophical foundation of SEN's activities.”
Created by Christopher Witcombe, Professor of Art History at Sweet Briar College, this site explores “how and why places become invested with sacredness and how the acred is embodied or made manifest through art and architecture.”
The National Park Service Web site contains a wealth of information about important American landscapes. Check out:
See also the National Park Service Management Policy, specifically Chapter 5, Cultural Resource Management, and Chapter 8, Use of the Parks (section 8.5 is “Native American Use”). The Park Service Web site also has an excellent summary of laws relating to cultural and natural resource protection.
When the Park Service was sued by rock climbers opposed to the new policy asking climbers to stay off Devils Tower in June, Native Americans pointed out that the Park Service allows many Christian religious services in parks and manages places like the late Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.'s Ebenezer Baptist Church without being accused of endorsing a particular religion. View a list of religious structures (PDF) in National Parks.
United Nations' protections for natural, cultural and historic places can be explored by visiting:
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