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| Did
you know traditional ecological knowledge
(TEK) and western science are both based
on experimentation and experience? For
example, the igloo, kayak, canoe, and
snowshoes are just a few Aboriginal
creations developed using a combination
of traditional knowledge and trial and
error. Today, we call those "creations"
inventions and say they were developed
using sound engineering principles.
Although the words are different, the
results are the same—creative and
ingenious tools that allow us to interact
with our environment and help make the
future better. What other inventions
or types of businesses do you know of
being developed by Aboriginal people
today?
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Wondering
if a job related to sustainable communities
is for you? If the majority of these
statements apply to you, you could
be headed for a job in this area.
- I
enjoy inventing things and coming
up with creative solutions to problems.
- I
want to help protect our natural
resources, and I’m interested
in learning how we can preserve
and protect them for future generations.
- I
enjoy building things, and I also
enjoy learning about how things
from my culture—such as igloos,
snowshoes, canoes or kayaks—are
put together and why they work so
well.
- I’m
interested in how my Elders used
natural resources to build homes,
methods of transportation, and tools.
I want to use this traditional knowledge
to make homes and buildings that
are useful and safe as well as those
that express our culture.
- I
enjoy meeting new people and working
with others to solve problems.
- I’m
concerned about the future of our
environment and would like to be
a part of the solution by working
with others to invent solutions
for both humans and the environment.
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If
you’re working towards a job
related to sustainable communities,
get started right now. Here are some
things you can do:
Explore your interest:
- Shadow
someone working a business-related
job like an environmental engineer,
clean energy researcher, green architect,
environmental co-ordinator or environmental
monitor.
For more information on job shadowing,
see the tip sheet on Gaining Related
Experience in the Career Journey.
- Be
sure to search the Internet for
summer camps in your area. If you’re
under 17 years old, check out summer
camps through Actua
Telephone: (613) 234-4137
Fax: (613) 234-4779
email: info@actua.ca
website: www.actua.ca
- Research
environmental advances and alternative
energy sources online, such as biodiesel.
Is there someone producing it in
your community? Could there be?
Should there be?
- Ask
your Elders how they used to use
natural resources while still protecting
the environment. Compare these ways
to methods used in your community
today and discover how the differences
have changed the effects to the
environment.
Show
your personal commitment to protecting
the atmosphere and keeping the air
clean:
- Join
a work team to build homes for families
in need. Find a local crew at Habitat
for Humanity Canada:
Telephone: 800-667-5137, or (519)
885-4565
Fax: (519) 885-5225
email: habitat@habitat.ca
website: www.habitat.ca
- Help
protect our natural resources. You
can conserve natural resources like
oil and gas by using renewable alternative
fuels (like ethanol and biodiesel)
in your car and snowmobile, if they’re
available in your community. Also
reduce the amount of fuel you use
by turning off your vehicle instead
of letting it idle.
- Conserve
energy by buying energy-saving light
bulbs and by turning off lights,
appliances, and the television when
you’re not using them.
Start
developing the experience and knowledge
required for an air-related job:
- Look
for jobs with local businesses and
industries like outfitting businesses
and energy-producing companies that
offer summer intern jobs. If you
live in an urban area, you may be
able to attend summer camps that
focus on jobs related to engineering
or architecture.
- Look
for summer jobs or volunteer positions
at national or provincial parks,
aquariums or zoos. Find out from
people in the field what concerns
need to be addressed and what you
can do to protect the environment.
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Check
out the following:
Movies
A Bug’s Life
China Syndrome
Documentaries
Abegweit, directed by Serge Morin,
National Film Board
Under the Sun/Sous le soleil,
National Film Board
Books
The Way of the Earth: Native America
and the Environment, by John Bierhorst
Energy Projects for Young Scientists,
by Richard C. Adams and Robert Gardner
The Energy of Nature, by E.C. Pielou |
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