An Enormous Whole

Dr. Rayna Green, a visiting fellow and associate professor in the Native American Studies Program, recently discussed the connections between her specialty as a folklorist, her position in Washington with the American Association for the Advancement of Science as director of projects on Native Americans in science, and her appointment at Dartmouth.

One of her functions in Washington, Green said, is to act as a "broker" for a variety of private, Indian, and federal organizations interested in "changing the under-representation of Indians in scientific and technical fields, and in improving Native American scientific and technical development." Attitudes have been changing on both sides, she explained. Pushed by a desire for more self-determination, faced by the energy crisis, and standing to benefit from the increasing demand for natural resources, Indian groups are viewing science and technology more positively. At the same time, she said, there is more openness to what Indians can do in the sciences. "We have managed to get many more Indians involved in policy-making positions," Greene pointed out, an American Indian Science and Engineering Society has been formed, and Native Americans with scientific training have returned to work with the tribes.

Green's presence at Dartmouth, facilitated by Provost Leonard Rieser '44 and Native American Studies chairman Michael Dorris, who both are active in the American Association for the Advancement of Science, is for the purpose of "encouraging the serious study of Native American science,' medicine, and technology." She also will be teaching a course on Indian women, appearing as a guest lecturer, and completing a book on Native American sciences, a project she has been assisted in by Eric Pierce 'Bl, who helped with bibliographic research during an off-campus term in Washington.

One of Green's goals is to organize a "Center for the Study of Native American Science, Technology, and Medicine," which would examine both historical and contemporary issues. In addition, it would be engaged in a "systematic investigation of problems that would benefit from an application of Western science in tandem with traditional Indian science." One example, the pairing of physicians with consulting traditional healers, has been successfully tried in India and China and also among some native populations in this country. "A research and application program of this sort is logical for Dartmouth," Green said, pointing to the resources of the Medical School, computer center, and to the Native American and Environmental Studies programs.

Asked how her specialty in folklore fits in with these projects, Green explained that one can study Indian oral tradition and methods of artistic expression to learn about traditional science. Native Americans perceive science differently than the rest of Western society, Green said. "Native American science is applied, not theoretical. For a native person, science is not a separate part of life, but an enormous whole to be comprehended. It's a 'holistic' approach," she added. "When someone is sick, the whole community, the whole person, the whole body must be treated."