E23: The Role of Education in Reconciliation and Revitalization

Tune in, hit play, and get inspired as Kirby England (Environmental Sciences instructor) and Lowell Yellowhorn (Indigenous Services interim manager) share their efforts in braiding Indigenous knowledge and western science into Lethbridge College’s Environmental Science curriculum. Kirby and Lowell talk about the rich history of traditional ecological knowledge, the power of language in preserving local culture, and how relationship-building is key to traditional ways of learning and knowing.

During the recording, Kirby and Lowell mention:

• The podcast's topic phrase, "braiding together Indigenous knowledge and western science" comes from Harley Bastien, a Piikani Elder who also runs Buffalo Rock Teepee Camp
• The Old Man River Dam Controversy
  • The Piikani Lone Fighters and their spokesman, Milton Born With A Tooth
• OCAP: Ownership, Control, Access, Protection
• The four tribes of the Blackfoot Confederacy:
  • Kainai-Blood Tribe
  • Siksika
  • Peigan-Piikani
  • Aamskapi Pikuni
• The Baháʼí faith
• TRC: Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada
• The Royal Commission on Aboriginal Peoples
• "Wilderness Defender," Lorne Fitch
• Riparian: "Relating to wetlands adjacent to rivers and streams" 
• UDL: Universal Design for Learning
• TEK: Traditional Ecological Knowledge
• Treaty 7
• A quotation from Confucious: “The beginning of wisdom is to call things by their proper names.”
• Names for the North American Badger:
  • Latin: Taxidea taxus
  • Blackfoot: Miisinssk
• Blackfoot name for bison: Iiníí
  • Blackfoot name for a herd of bison: Iiníí na
• Blackfoot name for small eagle (plural): Poksipíítaiksi
• Blackfoot name for Lethbridge College: Ohkotoki’aahkkoiyiiniimaan
• Blackfoot name for a white person: Náápiikoan
• Blackfoot name for beaver: Ksísskstaki 
• The official greeting of Lethbridge College is óki, which means "hello" in the Blackfoot language
• Iissksiniip (Coming to Know and Learn) Coulee Walk, created by William Singer III (Api’soomaahka – Running Coyote), a traditional Blackfoot plant knowledge keeper and artist
• Ma's which means "prairie turnip" in the Blackfoot language
• Soka’pii, which means "be good" in the Blackfoot language
• Fit for Life: Blackfoot language animal flashcards
• Within Environmental Science, Kirby teaches the following programs:

  • Environmental Assessment and Restoration Diploma

  • Renewable Resource Management Diploma

  • Natural Resource Conservation Diploma

  • Bachelor of Ecosystem Management Degree
• Lowell encourages people to visit the Gathering Place (Indigenous Services) and to check out the Indigenous Student Support Guide
• Kirby encourages people with children in their lives to get kids involved with the Ecosystem Explorers Camps, as they role out to elementary, junior high, and high school-age kids
• For more Blackfoot words and phrases, check out the online Blackfoot dictionary!