Indigenous Psychologies in an Era of Decolonization

Description

This groundbreaking volume explores the capacity of Indigenous psychologies to counter the effects of longstanding colonization on traditional cultures and habitats. It chronicles the editor’s extensive research in the Lacandon Rainforest in southern Mexico, illustrating respectful methodologies and authentic friendship—a decolonized approach by a committed scholar—and the concerted efforts of community members to preserve their history and heritage. Descriptions of collaborations among children, parents, students, and elders demonstrate the continued passing on of indigenous knowledge, culture, art, and spirituality. This richly layered narrative models cultural resilience and resistance in their transformative power to replace environmental and cultural degradation with co-existence and partnership. Included in the coverage: • Indigenous psychologies: a contestation for epistemic justice. • The ecological context and the methods of inquiry and praxes. • Environmental impact assessment of deforestation in three communities of the Lacandon Rainforest. • Public policy development for community and ecological wellbeing. • Oral history, legends, myths, poetry, and images. With stirring examples to inspire future practices and policies, Indigenous Psychologies in an Era of Decolonization will take its place as a bedrock text for indigenous psychology and community psychology researchers. It speaks needed truths as the world comes to grips with pressing issues of environmental preservation, restorative justice for marginalized peoples, and the waging of peace over conflict. Front Matter ....Pages i-xv Indigenous Psychologies: A Contestation for Epistemic Justice (Nuria Ciofalo)....Pages 1-38 The Ecological Context and the Methods of Inquiry and Praxes (Nuria Ciofalo)....Pages 39-79 Once upon a River and Ghosts: Jan Kachik Kisin Yoko Ja’ (Nuria Ciofalo)....Pages 81-152 Uk’Ay K’ax (El Canto de La Selva—Song of the Rainforest) (Mario Chambor Chanabor, Chan’Kin Chambor Chanabor, Jose Manuel Morales Vazquez, Elias Diaz Diaz)....Pages 153-172 Environmental Impact Assessment of Deforestation in Three Communities of the Lacandon Rainforest (Ernesto Chancayun Kin)....Pages 173-185 Jootik Ta Lum Kinal (Mayan Tzeltal)—To’on Yejer Ru’um (Mayan Lacandon) Nosotros y la Tierra (Spanish)—We and the Earth (Maria Esther Velasco Garcia, Ernesto Chancayun Kin, Carlos Chambor Sanchez, Marwilio Sanchez Gomez)....Pages 187-203 Oral History, Legends, Myths, Poetry, and Images (Ernesto Chancayun Kin, Maria Esther Velasco Garcia, Martha Chanuk Chankin, Marwilio Sanchez Gomez)....Pages 205-231 Conclusions: Making the Road by Walking “de Otra Manera” (in a Different Way) (Nuria Ciofalo)....Pages 233-237 Back Matter ....Pages 239-242