The Faculties of Science and Native Studies at the University of Alberta are partnering to present Sharing Knowledge: Western and Indigenous Sciences, a two-day event to showcase, explore, reinforce, and expand intersections between western and Indigenous knowledge and science. Inspired by the Calls to Action from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, these conversations will build and enhance these connections through a public talk and symposium, to explore how we can contribute to finding ways to share and respect science knowledge within and between these two cultures and worldviews.
"We need to find ways in which we can bring more indigenous perspectives in to teaching and learning within our faculty," says Glen Loppnow, Associate Dean of Learning and Innovation in the Faculty of Science and the driving force behind the Sharing Knowledge initiative. The catalyst for Loppnow was the focus on post-secondary education in the Calls to Action.
"We need to find that bridge that connects the traditional Western approach to science of breaking problems down in to their component parts to understand how the world works with the Indigenous perspective of how to put that in a holistic context of place and people." -Glen Loppnow
Cross-cultural exchange
"It's about starting the conversation," he says. "We don't have many places in society where people can discuss their perspective on a problem and hear the perspectives of others. When you start to hear, you start to gain more awareness and understanding. If we don't do that at a university, which is in the idea business, where else can we?"
Loppnow and his colleagues from the Faculty of Science have partnered with the Faculty of Native Studies to help turn their goals into action. "Engaging in dialogue means we can work towards mutual respect of our cultures and ways of knowing," says Chris Andersen, Interim Native Studies Dean at the University of Alberta. "We must remember that science has a culture as well with its own sets of dynamics and politics, such that there is much to be gained on both sides from a cross-cultural exchange. This event is one step towards building communication and breaking down some of the barriers that exist to the application of Indigenous knowledge in science education and research and vice versa."
Broadening student perspective
The two-fold objective for incorporating indigenous knowledge in the science curriculum is to broaden the perspective of students to allow them to see the world through many different lenses. "When I think about the bigger problems affecting our society like climate change or poverty for example, these aren't going to be solved by one discipline or one person," says Loppnow. "They are going to be solved by lots of different people coming together and approaching the problem in a holistic way. These challenges all have science aspects and people aspects. I think we need to find that bridge that connects the traditional Western approach to science of breaking problems down in to their component parts to understand how the world works with the Indigenous perspective of how to put that in a holistic context of place and people."
Echoes Andersen, "I am confident that our conversations will reveal examples of how both systems of knowing can be used to solve some of the complex problems faced by both Indigenous peoples and by our broader society."
Encouraging diversity
Loppnow acknowledges that though there may be challenges along the way, he is looking forward to starting the conversation. "We need to provide a welcoming place to encourage diversity."
The Sharing Knowledge initiative starts with a free public presentation by Gregory Cajete, author, educator, and Director of Native American Studies at the University of New Mexico. The lecture takes place Tuesday, March 8 at 7pm in 1-440 in the Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Sciences at the University of Alberta and will be preceded by a ceremony at 5:30pm and a feast at 6pm to which all are welcome.
Cajete will chair a symposium the following day to continue a deeper conversation with a more focused discussion of indigenous and western perspectives to the science curriculum. The focus will be on themes of storytelling, water, education, and the North, with a goal of bridging and connecting communities and perspectives.
"We looked at the themes starting to come out from our top researchers and educators who already had connections to indigenous peoples," says Loppnow. "There are a lot of great initiatives already under way, and we want to capture that knowledge to inform our research. Ultimately, we want to try to connect strongly and value the perspective and knowledge of indigenous communities."