Indigenous Ways of Knowing Science

“Learning science and mathematics through relationships with the land is an ancient process that is holistic, transformational and relevant today.”

Casey Eagle Speaker, Kainai Elder

Science is traditionally taught and learned from a Western worldview. But there are many ways of knowing and connecting through knowledge and with science.

Humans have flourished alongside the land with the use of science and mathematics for thousands of years. Think about agriculture, which thrives through companion planting and geometry. Or our senses in relationship with the horizon, the zenith and movement of constellations, which guide navigation across land and sea.

Science becomes more relevant and relatable when we open up our minds and hearts to ways of knowing from the land, sky and spirit.

Indigenous Guiding Framework

The Circle of Life represents how all things are connected and relational. The four parts represent the four directions, four sacred medicines, four stages of life, four ways of being, four winds and many more. Each of these four parts shape the TELUS Spark Science Centre Indigenous Action Plan.

East represents community relationships.
South represents Indigenous ways of knowing at every visit, and include physical, outdoor and virtual experiences.
West represents education.
North represents organizational change.

Resources: Indigenous Ways of Knowing

- Treaty 7 Indigenous Ally Toolkit
  A comprehensive guide from the Calgary Foundation. Read the guide.
- Native Land - Digital Map
  Click here to find out what land you live, play and grew up on. Use this resource to learn how to use the map and website.
- Indigenous Corporate Training
  Providers of a safe training environments for learners to acquire the knowledge, skills and attitude required to be effective. Visit their website.
- 21 Things You Didn’t Know About The Indian Act
  A video featuring Bob Joseph, Gwawa'enuk Nation, founder of Indigenous Corporate Training. Watch here.
- The Three Most Misunderstood Words
  Watch this Ted Talk by Mark Charles, Navajo/Dutch-American, about the three most misunderstood words in America's history.
- First Contact Canada
  An APTN series that follows non-Indigenous Canadians learning about Indigenous people and culture. Watch the series here.
- Stepping Stones
  Produced by the Alberta Teachers Association and featuring the history and timeline of the Indigenous Peoples of Alberta. Read more.
- Seven Sacred Teachings
  The Seven Sacred Teachings are common teachings about “ways of being” across Turtle Island. This lovely book is based on teachings from the Anishinaabe peoples and lands (the Great Lakes area), and is also available in Ojibwe.
  
  Please note that while teachings differ across all of Turtle Island (with different animals and names represented), the moral teachings stay the same.
- Story of Moh’kinst’sis: Where the Rivers Meet
  A video featuring Clarence Wolfleg (Miiksika'am), Siksika Elder. Watch the story here.
- Blackfoot Metaphtsics: Waiting in the Wings
  Teachings from Dr. Leroy Little Bear, Kainai metaphysicist. Watch him here.
- Four Directions Teachings
  Teachings from Dr. Reg Crowshoe, Piikani Blackfoot Elder. Read the transcript here.
- Why is the world beautiful: an Indigenous botonist on the spirit of life in everything
  An article by Robin Wall Kimmerer, Potawatomi Nation, along with her website.

Reconnecting with the Land

TELUS Spark Science Centre acknowledges the traditional lands of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot Confederacy), the Tsuutina, the Îethka Nakoda, and more recently Métis Nation Region 3. We are grateful for the caretakers of these lands and all who thrive where the Bow and Elbow Rivers meet.

Land Acknowledgement