Lecture 20: Environment Flashcards
Decolonization
Process of decolonization: healing and moving away from a place of anger, loss and grief -> a place where Indigenous Peopls can thrive
It changes the relationship between Indigenous and non-indigenous People: ending settlers effect on gov, ideologies, religion, culture and education
Indigenization
“culturally responsive curriculum and pedagogy”;
acknowledging the invisibility of Indigenous Peoples and their knowledge within an institutional framework;
recognizing and valuing Indigenous worldviews, culture– their way of knowing, being, doing;
the sharing of Indigenous knowledge, stories, perspectives in the education system
Reconciliation
Indigenous peoples and the Crown work cooperatively to establish and maintain a mutually respectful framework for living together, with a view to fostering strong, healthy and sustainable Indigenous nations within a strong Canada
guardianship and stewardship of the lands
control of and access to ancestral lands and resources to ensure the sustainable, economic, spiritual and cultural well-being of First Nation communities
Indigenous world view
belief of spiritual world
There can be many truths based upon individual experiences
People and the land are all connected Community, identity and spirituality are rooted in this connection
Theland is sacred and usually given by a creator or supreme being.
Time is non-linear and cyclical
Life compass is internal, guided by relations with people and the land
Human beings are not the most important in the world
Working together to support the community
Western World VIEW
Scientific, skeptical, requiring proof
One truth based on science or law
No association of community, self or spirit to the land
The land and its resources should be available for development and extraction
Time is linearly and future orientated
Life compass is external, comparing of status, wealth
Human beings are most important in the world
Competitive for personal gain
magic number” of hours that we need to spend outdoors, in order to optimize our health?
at least two hours a week outside, for at least 20 minutes at a time.
There are 3 main theories as to why human connection to nature is integral to our mental, social,
spiritual, emotional health and longevity.
stress reduction hypothesis
biophilia hypothesis
attention restoration theory
Attention Restoration Theory:
nature restores our mental processes, our ability to
concentrate and pay attention
Stress reduction hypothesis
Stress Reduction Hypothesis: spending time in nature triggers a physiological response
that lowers stress levels (downregulates the HPA axis), inhibits stress response and
activates parasympathetic nervous system
Biophilia hypothesis
: humans have an innate, ancestral connection to the land, and
reliance on the land for survival
Benefits of nature
Increased endorphin levels and dopamine production (promotes happiness and reduces
irritability
* Lowered blood pressure and reduced cortisol (stress hormone)
* Reduced symptoms of anxiety and depression, increased feelings of calmness
* Restores capacity for concentration, attention, and learning
* Reduces feelings of isolation
* Greater sense of purpose
* More generous, kind with others
Ecophysiology
Ecophysiology: How is the environment affecting the physiology of our body
Mother Natue enhances
immune
anti oxidative and anti inflammatory responses
decrease activiation of the HPA axis (stress response)
increase the production of the happiness neurotransmitters (DOSE)
regulates circadian rhythm
Phytoncides
Phytoncides: natural antifungal, antimicrobial chemicals that are released in the air by
many vegetation, we breathe them in, and they go into the lungs and potentially help with
allergies or asthma, they end up in our blood stream and help activate and improve
immune response
