Online Dialogue Series

Originally planned as an in-person conference at the Turtle Lodge in Sagkeeng First Nation, this dialogue series began in 2020 as a way of continuing the reconciliation conversation during the global pandemic. The response to the first few sessions was overwhelming, so we continued to organize dialogues until 2022. The recordings of all of these sessions can be accessed below – please enjoy them and share them widely.

We are immensely grateful to those who participated by asking questions at the live events, and those who came to share their knowledge as panellists. Each played a critical role in bringing to life these conversations of generational importance – thank you.

Why Reconciling Ways of Knowing?

Moderator Valérie Courtois facilitates a dialogue amongst Miles Richardson, O.C.; Dr. David Suzuki; Dr. Nancy Turner; and Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Jr.; on the need for reconciliation between Indigenous and Western scientific ways of knowing.

Two-Eyed Seeing and Beyond

Mi’kmaq Elder Albert Marshall, Drs. Jesse Popp, Andrea Reid and Deborah McGregor discussed the idea of Etuaptmumk or Two-Eyed Seeing and other related frameworks for understanding across ways of knowing.

Connecting Spiritually with the Land and Each Other

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, Dr. Blair Stonechild talk with Moderator Shaunna Morgan Siegers, MSc about the essential and spiritual connection with the land and each other.

Incorporating Indigenous Knowledge in Integrated Land Use Planning

This dialogue on the relationship between nationhood and land use planning and how to incorporate Indigenous knowledge into integrated land management was hosted in partnership with Canada Land Resource Innovations.

Stewarding Our Marine Relations

Moderator Saul Brown facilitated a conversation amongst Nang Jingwas Russ Jones, Dr. Sm'hayetsk Teresa Ryan, and Dr. Anne Salomon to discuss how we can address challenges in marine planning and restore balance in our important shared marine ecosystems.

Enacting Ethical Space in Knowledge Sharing

Building upon the first conversation on Indigenous knowledge and science, this second dialogue focused on Indigenous Ethics in relationship to Indigenous knowledge.

Millennia of Experience: Drawing on Indigenous Knowledge in Responding to COVID-19

The session explored how Indigenous Peoples have leveraged their millennia of experience enduring past pandemics to protect their people and foster their resilience in the face of new public health challenges.

Zaagi’idiwin / Valentine’s

This discussion focused on the implications of Zaagi’idiwin and other Indigenous conceptions of love and relationality for building good inter-societal relationships with each other.

Honouring the Example of Dr. David Schindler in Respecting Indigenous Knowledge

This dialogue is in tribute to the memory of Dr. Schindler and the example he provided as a prominent scientist who showed respect for and worked with Indigenous knowledge and Indigenous knowledge holders.

Decolonizing Science Education & Practicing Indigenous Science

Moderator Kory Wilson facilitated a conversation between Dr. Lorna Wanosts’a7 Williams, Dr. Gregory Cajete, and Skye Augustine on the nature of the need for change, good work underway, and future avenues for change that educators, researchers, practitioners, and many others can help bring about in their work and lives

Sustaining the Ethnosphere & Wisdom in Indigenous Languages

We were pleased to bring together a conversation on the importance of the diverse ways of being and ways of knowing of peoples around the world, which panelist Dr. Wade Davis describes as the ethnosphere, or cultural web-of-life that envelops the planet and nurtures our relationships with the lands and waters we call home.

Braiding Ways of Knowing 

Teacher, researcher, and writer, Dr. Robin Wall Kimmerer spoke in dialogue with friend, colleague, renowned ethnobotanist and moderator Dr. Nancy Turner on the theme of Braiding Ways of Knowing.

Why Mountains Matter: International mountain day

Moderator Valérie Courtois facilitates a dialogue amongst Miles Richardson, O.C.; Dr. David Suzuki; Dr. Nancy Turner; and Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Jr.; on the need for reconciliation between Indigenous and Western scientific ways of knowing.

A Conversation Across Ways of Knowing & Relating to Land

This dialogue aims to continue the conversation across ways of knowing – this time in a dialogue between and amongst Indigenous knowledge keepers and others who work within institutions organized by Western scientific knowledge systems, including the courts, government, and academia.

Stewarding Our Relations in Forests and Watersheds

Moderated by Dr. Clifford Atleo Jr. this dialogue brought together Dr. Deborah McGregor, Dr. Garry Merkel, Herb Hammond, and Dr. Peggy Smith to discuss how we can restore the balance we need to live in harmony with forest and watershed ecosystems.

Conserving Cultural and Natural Heritage through Sustainable Mountain Tourism

Moderator Nicole Olivier (CMN) facilitated a conversation amongst Barbara Wilson (Haida Nation), Bill Snow (Stoney Nakoda Nation), Isabelle Falardeau (Université Quebec à Trois-Rivières) and Stephanie Yuill (Parks Canada) to discuss the role ecological and cultural tourism can play in building resilient economies, supporting Indigenous self-determination, fostering reconciliation, and sustaining biodiversity.