Environmental Indigenous Wisdom and the Design of Educational Resources

The current essay presents the results of research into sustainable development and environmental education that was developed in the sub-region of Amazonia-Orinoquia (Amazonas State, Venezuela) from 2005 to 2008. This study was undertaken within a qualitative methodology framework where field trips and the collaboration of indigenous communities in particular were crucial. Unlike other projects currently taking place in the area, our investigation established a different connection with indigenous communities. The study considered indigenous peoples both as subjects and objects of the analysis, for which a written agreement was negotiated and signed at the beginning of the project about what to study and how to proceed with our research. Several data collection techniques were used: interviews with key informants, discussion groups and surveys. Two of the goals were: to analyse the knowledge that indigenous peoples have about the environment and sustainability, particularly regarding the cultural role of ethnicity; to design and elaborate educational materials that address issues about environmental education related to the cultural role that ethnic groups play in species preservation. These objectives were reached thanks to the response of 12 different indigenous peoples of different ethnic and linguistic backgrounds after visiting 17 communities.