Chapter 5: Learning from and with the Systems
Posted August 15, 2024 - Linh Bui
“It isn’t the land that is broken, but rather our connection to the land that is broken, and must be fixed” - Danielle Cherpako
Image description: Participants were engaging in an outdoor session "What can the Land Teach us About Systems?" at the Banff Centre
Stepping into a vast landscape where every step, breath, and observation becomes a lesson in connection, this was the summit's exploration of systems thinking, where we learn about the systems from and with the land, its wisdom, the complexity of human relationships, and the invisible forces that shape our world. All to be realized are dynamics that govern our collective existence.
Reading Systems from the Land
Our journey began on the sacred grounds of Eyarhey Tatanga Woweyahgey Wakân (Sleeping Buffalo), where the land itself became our teacher. Guided by Daryl Kootenay, we embarked on a short walk invited us to slow down, to truly observe the world around us, and to listen to the silent yet profound teachings of the natural world.
As we walked, the landscape revealed its secrets—how the roots of plants intertwine, how the flow of water shapes the earth, and how every creature, no matter how small, plays a role in the balance of the ecosystem.
Engaging with the land also brought us into conversations about its cultural significance. For the Stoney Nakoda people, this land is sacred, and through their stories, we learned to see it not just as a physical space, but as a living system with its own spirit and history. Indigenous Storytelling offered us insights into the historical and spiritual context of the land, emphasizing the importance of reciprocity—caring for and honoring the land, not just taking from it.
We began to see the land with new eyes, noticing details we had previously overlooked. More than moving through the landscape; it was the opportunity to truly observe it. This journey was for awareness and respect, understanding that every element of the ecosystem has a story and a purpose, and recognizing our place within this intricate web of life.
Image description: Daryl Kootenay (the third person from left to right) and participants in session "Reading Systems from the land"
“Land-based learning encompasses cultural identity, knowledge, acknowledgment, respect for oneself/others and their relationship with the land and animistic world. It is the significance of human existence, a journey, and a narrative that embraces the means of knowing, doing, being, and connecting. It represents our continuous existence as a people, battling for the right to live while recognizing each other’s truths.” - Bia Pasqualini
The Land as Our Teacher
As we continued our journey, the question naturally arose: What more can the land teach us about systems? The next session, "What Can the Land Teach Us About Systems?" by Naomi Mahaffy from Government of Alberta took us further into this exploration. Observing and interacting with the land enables us to learn how different elements of a system interact and influence each other, creating a web of relationships that sustains the whole. Indigenous teachings remind us that the earth is a dynamic entity, where everything—land, water, sky, and all living beings—are in constant relationship.
Image description: Naomi Mahaffy instructed participants to engage in the session "What the Land Teach Us about Systems?"
Here, we delved into the concept of relationality, which is at the heart of systems thinking:
- Everything in nature is connected, not just physically but spiritually and culturally.
- The land is a teacher, offering lessons on balance, cycles, and the intricate web of life.
- Our relationship with the earth is reciprocal, where we must give as much as we take.
The land doesn’t just support life; it teaches us how to live in harmony with everything around us. It’s a reminder that our actions are part of a larger web of relationships.
The land teaches us that resilient systems are often diverse, with multiple interconnected components that can adapt to changing conditions . This lesson can be applied to various human-made systems, encouraging the development of flexible and diverse structures that can withstand and recover from disruptions.
The land reveals the importance of cycles and feedback loops in maintaining system balance. Natural cycles, such as water and nutrient cycles, demonstrate how materials and energy flow through a system, with outputs from one process becoming inputs for another. These cycles often involve feedback mechanisms that help regulate the system and maintain equilibrium. Natural systems often operate on timescales much longer than human lifespans, teaching us the value of patience and long-term thinking in understanding and managing complex systems. The land shows us that significant changes and adaptations can take generations to manifest, highlighting the importance of considering long-term impacts and planning for sustainable futures.
The land’s teachings are not confined to the natural world; they extend into our social and cultural systems, reinforcing the importance of maintaining balance within the web of life.
Weaving the Human Web: The Story of 'Ani-to-pisi'
Our journey then shifted from the land to the realm of human connections, where we encountered the story of 'Ani-to-pisi,' or the "Spiderweb", beautifully delivered and captured by Roy Bear Chief, Mount Royal University. Just as the land is a system, so too are our relationships with one another.
Here, we explored the metaphor of the spiderweb:
- Each thread is a connection, representing the bonds that tie us together.
- Each vibration is felt throughout the entire web, symbolizing how our actions affect the whole.
- The web is delicate yet resilient, reflecting the strength and fragility of human connections.
To bring this concept to life, participants gathered on the field outside of the Banff Centre and created a human spiderweb. As we held hands and moved together, the web became a powerful symbol of unity, reconciliation, and the interconnectedness of our lives. The physical act of creating the web was as impactful as the metaphor itself, reminding us that we are all part of a larger, interconnected system.
Image description: Image description: Participants engaged in the outdoor session of creating a human spiderweb with Roy Bear Chief
The activity is simple, yet profoundly revealing. Although only a few participants are familiar with each other, most do not know one another well. As we stand in a circle, we look at each other with intention, gaining insight into each other’s diverse professions, passions, and goals. As the web of connections begins to form, it becomes evident that each of our actions sends ripples through the entire network. Even a single laugh causes the threads to vibrate, and everyone feels the impact.
“Let’s all build the human spiderweb regardless of who we are.” Roy continued “in my language, we say “sutskapi?” -means keep it going - being very humble and grateful to those who says they want to participate.”
Making Systems Matter
As our journey continued, the focus shifted from connections to the awareness of systems in action. In the session "Making Systems Matter”, the activity required groups of participants to form two even lines, facing each other, and extend your index fingers at waist level as if pointing in front of you. The goal is to lower the stick or hula hoop to the ground, but each person can only touch the bar with the top of their finger, and no one can lose contact with the bar at any time. If anyone loses contact, the group must start again, and you must keep your arms and elbows close to your waist throughout the activity.
Here, we explored the lessons for systems thinking
- Coordination is key; without it, the system resists.
- Communication must be clear and aligned, or the system moves in unintended directions.
- Shared goals are crucial, as individual actions can inadvertently work against the collective objective.
The Helium Stick activity seemed simple but quickly revealed how challenging it is to maintain control within a group. As we began, tension and lack of coordination made progress difficult. It wasn't until we started asking, "What's your goal?" and understanding each other's intentions that we could move forward together, adjusting and accommodating as a team.
This exercise also prompted us to question the rules we were following. Often, we follow rules without fully understanding them, focusing only on their consequences. This lack of clarity can stifle creativity and new ideas. By moving from the "how" to the "why," we gained a better understanding of our interconnections and the systems at play. It also encouraged us to think beyond the present, recognizing that our actions today impact future generations, emphasizing the importance of long-term thinking and collaboration.
This activity mirrored the real-world challenges of maintaining systems awareness. It was a vivid reminder that in any system, maintaining awareness and focus is crucial.
Grappling with System Forces: Insights from the Systems Dojo
As we neared the culmination of our journey, the focus shifted once more, this time to the forces at play within systems with the session “Systems Dojo” by Julian Norris from The Wolf Willow Institute. The dojo experience was about feeling and responding to the forces within systems:
- The push and pull of system components, representing the constant negotiation within any system.
- The tensions and releases, which symbolize the ebb and flow of forces at play.
- The importance of adaptability, as systems are ever-changing and require us to respond in real-time.
Image description: Julian Norris and the participants in the session "Systems Dojo"
Julian directed participants to spread out across the room and move fluidly, enacting the forces of a system in motion. As they moved, Julian offered a deep reflection on the nature of systems transformation: "What transforms when transforming systems is the relationship with people." He spoke to the discomfort of chaos and the unknown, saying, "Oftentimes, we're afraid of chaos and unpredictable things. Being at the edge of chaos, and allowing something new to emerge, requires us to feel okay with things never being in their place. We're constantly adapting, driven by natural intelligence. We're constantly questioning—what do I do next? Where do I move? Especially when we don't know and can't know."
Julian continued, "In complex systems, we will never fully know everything, so we often constrain ourselves to what we can know and pretend the other parts don’t exist. It works—until it doesn't." As participants moved together, Julian instructed them to pair up and engage in a simple yet profound activity. He asked them to focus on their physical sensations rather than judgments: "Just as you move towards me, I felt a burning in my cheek, a tension or a knot. Just track what happens—like a contraction in your stomach—without using judgment." He emphasized the importance of this mindful awareness in complex systems: "Systems are really complex in context. One of the things they can do is regulate their own physiology, choosing the most skillful response rather than simply reacting."
Before starting the activity, Julian asked everyone to connect with their partners and bow to each other, acknowledging, "We’re giving ourselves to this experience so that I can grow, and I commit to do the same for you. We’re also owning our own learning container."
This practice highlighted the power of intention, awareness, and mutual respect in navigating and transforming complex systems.
Unveiling the Complexity: The Power of Systems Mapping
As our journey reached its final destination, we arrived at the practice of systems mapping in the session titled "Systems Mapping." Here, participants were invited to visualize the complexities they had explored throughout the summit. Systems mapping is a practice that allows us to:
- Identify key elements within a system, bringing clarity to what might otherwise seem chaotic.
- Trace the relationships between these elements, unveiling the hidden connections and interactions.
- Visualize the bigger picture, making the invisible forces within systems more tangible.
The "Systems Mapping" session highlighted the power of collaborative thinking in tackling complex issues. Through the World Café activity, participants explored questions like, "How might we collectively live into a healthy climate future?" and "What are the limitations that keep us from achieving this?" As they shared their thoughts, patterns began to emerge, illustrating the intricate web of interconnected ideas.
Image description: A moment of discussion and brainstorming with participants in the session "Systems Mapping"
Participants labeled their insights with stickers representing resource flows, power dynamics, and mental models, which helped to visualize the complexity of the system. The exercise emphasized that understanding a system's structure and relationships is crucial for meaningful change. While systems mapping requires efforts to bring people’s diverse perspectives together, it offers a powerful tool for identifying leverage points and fostering collective action towards a sustainable future.
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To truly grasp these lessons, we encourage you to immerse yourself in these activities and experience them firsthand. The depth of understanding gained from direct interaction is unmatched. Indigenous land-based education offers a unique perspective on understanding systems, rooted in thousands of years of observation and interaction with the land. By integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern scientific understanding, we can develop more comprehensive and nuanced approaches to system thinking and management.
Next up Chapter 6: Systems Thinking in Philanthropy and Innovation
Philanthropy and innovation are crucial drivers of social change. But in a world marked by complexity and interconnected challenges, how can systems thinking enhance their impact?
Next up Chapter 7: The Nexus of Peace Building, Learning and Systems
Romeo D’Allaire recently observed that “today, polarization, proxy wars, hybrid warfare that combines conventional tactics with online propaganda, geopolitical tensions, large-scale violations of human rights, and the erosion of representative government all make peacebuilding increasingly complex.”...This session explores the nexus of peacebuilding, learning, and systems.