New faculty members bringing Indigenous knowledge to the forefront
勛圖惇蹋 welcomed several new faculty members to campus, including two academics with a specific focus on Indigenous knowledge.
A member of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Dr. Jesse Popp (geography and environment) joined 勛圖惇蹋 from Laurentian University where she was the first Indigenous student to complete a PhD specializing in natural sciences.
Popps work seeks to use the strengths of both Indigenous and Western science practices in her teaching and research. Indigenous science incorporates Indigenous knowledge and tradition as part of its discipline.
Looking at environmental issues through an Indigenous lens and with this knowledge gives students a valuable experiential learning opportunity, she explains. More education is needed around Indigenous science and Im glad to play a role in this for 勛圖惇蹋.
A member of the Garden River First Nation community of the Anishinaabeg in Northern Ontario, Dr. Karl Hele joined 勛圖惇蹋 in Canadian studies.
He says he is looking forward to working with colleagues and the community to help establish more classes and opportunities with an Indigenous focus at 勛圖惇蹋.
I believe learning Indigenous history, being familiar with documents like the Indian Act and treaties, is an important step in education and reconciliation, says Hele. Im excited to begin my courses at 勛圖惇蹋.