Honestly, even with all of the graphs and charts proposed, I could not find a way to internalize the numbers of different populations that inhabit the area. It seems meaningless to me possibly because of the extreme amount of numbers presented. The only statistic that seemed important and relevant is the fact that there are currently more immigrants in the area, which implies that the area is culturally diverse. After reading about the anecdotal accounts of Jews visiting the Canarsie Pier to perform a specific religious ceremony called Tashlikh, I was able to relate since our elementary school used to take us to the bay by Toys R Us to do the same. I would explain what that ceremony is, but Jennifer already elaborated. I was not aware of the once vibrant Jewish community that inhabited the area. It was interesting to note how many different religions had ceremonies involving bodies of water and therefore practice these customs at the Jamaica Bay. Since water is vital for life, it makes sense that many religions regard it at the highest esteem. However, some ceremonies may bring pollution into the bay, such as the “puja” in which the Hindu community send offerings into the bay expecting them to sail out to sea but they come right back to the bay’s shores. In the other examples given, most do not harm the bay. The group that had been cutting down willow branches that originally thought of the area as public property regarding its resources had stopped since of the introduction of the idea that they might be stealing. Regarding the ceremony of Tashlikh, some include throwing bread into a body of water, while others simply recite a few passages near it. Although it might look ugly, the bread would either be eaten by birds and fish or degrade in the salty waters. If in fact, it is harmful to the animals eating the bread, maybe since it is only a symbolic ritual (either throwing “sins” away- being done on the holiday of repentance, or to fulfill a biblical verse that mentions a king that was anointed near a body of water; in this case, God being the king – one of the themes of the holiday) and is not a very old tradition, it can be altered to leave out the bread-throwing part (nothing to do with the second interpretation of the custom). Other problems may be posed against those that light bonfires since it attracts crowds that leave messes that can stay for a longer time if not cleaned up properly.

In order to answer the question of indigenous knowledge, its definition must be explored. However, based on Wikipedia’s definition, I will posit that through indigenous knowledge, people feel they have a right to utilize natural resources as long as these natural resources do not belong to any particular being. If there is a fence around it or it seems like it was planted with intent of personal use (i.e. a large orchard organized in rows), it would be off limits, while if not, the resource can be taken. However, most religions would give importance to nature and not destroying it. Looking at both angles, indigenous knowledge would suggest that using a resource in a way that can guarantee the replenishment of that resource would be permissible.