NATHIST secured SAREC funding to organize, and deliver three webinars organized around the topic, Confluence of Knowledge Across Time. : Workshop for Reciprocal Engagement with Living Knowledge Systems in Museums

About the Project
This project marks a fundamental shift in museum practice—moving away from traditional models of “collecting nature” toward a framework of “listening to nature.” Using the Mi’kmaw methodology of “Two-Eyed Seeing” (Etuaptmumk), we are working to position source communities as co-authors of museum knowledge rather than subjects of study. The Mi’kmaw concept, advocating for the simultaneous application of Indigenous/local knowledge holders’ perspectives alongside Western viewpoints supports co-created approaches to represent the natural world, exploring methodologies for the co-existence of multiple knowledge systems within museum display and outreach.

Workshop I features a case-study from Zambia focused on documenting traditional agricultural knowledge as a nature-based solution for climate resilience in collaboration with the Livingstone Museum and Simonga Village Farmers Collaborative. The webinar introduces participants to smallholder farmers from Simonga in Livingstone, Zambia, who cultivate maize, groundnuts, beans, and other crops. Farmers will share their experiences of using local knowledge to adapt to climate change and cope with declining rainfall. Discover traditional knowledge that has been abandoned over time, learn about practices that continue to support farming today, and explore the challenges farmers face in applying their knowledge. SUSTAIN board member Michela Rota, ICOM-Italy, will provide comments on SUSTAIN’s behalf.

You can watch the live streamed event on YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/live/0X9fPYsktzo?si=EailJN2ucbBjAK5a

This global initiative is the result of a significant partnership between numerous ICOM committees and local community stewards. The project is led by ICOM NATHIST and co-organized by ICOM France, ICOM SUSTAIN, and the Livingstone Museum (Zambia).

We are deeply grateful for the moral support and partnership of ICOM Zambia, ICOM ICME, ICOM ICR, ICOM Costa Rica, ICOM Spain, ICOM Israel, ICOM Barbados, and ICOM UMAC.

Workshop II focuses on a case-study in Taiwan: Using native languages to unlock ecological knowledge embedded in museum collections (in collaboration with Peresang Sukinarhimi/1ᴺ Studio & the youth of Kabalelradhane Village).

Workshop III addresses Global/Spiritual Contexts: Authentically representing spiritual connections between people and nature in scientific institutions.

By documenting oral histories and co-creating metadata, the goal is to establish a replicable, ethical model for museums worldwide to empower the communities who steward our environment and cultural heritage.

Participate
We invite museum professionals, researchers, community workers, and students to join these vital conversations on decolonization, climate justice, and the future of natural history museums.