Fifteenth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability

Abstract

Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices are critical tools in the quest to improve food sovereignty and to adapt to climate change. Tackling issues of nutritional insecurity in local communities requires support and documentation of traditional crops and farming practices. As a scholar and an artist, I work with Indigenous communities in the Indian Himalayas and in Mazvihwa, Zimbabwe, documenting Indigenous knowledge using arts-based tools to democratize my research methodologies. In my project, I support the revitalization of indigenous, drought-tolerant small grains by applying an experiential learning approach to engage communities through artistic practices. My project aims to build a collective community resource as communities reflect on their traditional skills and knowledge, reinforcing sustainable ways of knowing, being, and doing. An experiential learning approach will contribute to advancing local and worldwide sustainability by assisting communities in maintaining agricultural biodiversity and in improving their food sovereignty and climate change adaptability.