Indigenous knowledge and the knowledge commons

Abstract

This paper studies the frameworks used to understand the commons, the knowledge commons, and indigenous knowledge. Discussion of enclosure, participation, rivalrous and non-rivalrous commons reveals that information and knowledge are resources that increase in value through use. The author examines current IK practices, focusing on documentation strategies and the role of the librarian. Studying IK practices in relation to the commons allows shared language to emerge. Challenging the frameworks, discourse and practices of both IK and the commons exposes and strengthens their connections to one another. This provides a platform for stronger advocacy for IK projects and the commons in general.

Notes

1 These examples are gathered from LINKS's (Local and Indigenous Knowledge Systems, part of UNESCO) website, which provides short summaries of a variety of ongoing IK projects.

2 This definition is adapted from the American Heritage Dictionary definition of “knowledge.”

3 SNDT refers to “Shreemati Nathibai Damodar Thackersey,” a prominent advocate for women's education.

4 Dublin Core is a metadata (data about data) system used to describe individual items in a collection, often used for digital collections. This descriptive information allows items to be retrieved from the database.