When Knowledge Breaks

Research Focus

This article explores Kanyini, an Indigenous theory of knowledge transmission based on the teachings of Yankunytjatjara Elder Bob Randall. It argues that cultural continuity is not merely the transfer of information, but the maintenance of lawful relationships between Country, kinship, and spirit. While colonial policies caused fragmentation by disrupting these ties, the text asserts that the underlying law of Tjukurrpa remains ever-present. Consequently, the renewal of knowledge requires restoring active responsibility and belonging within the community rather than just archiving past data. By centering relational continuity, the author positions Indigenous intellectual traditions as vital frameworks for understanding how human societies survive and thrive across generations.