MELISSA ROBERTS (Anishinaabe/Scottish Kwe), “What is science to you?” led to conversations about leaves and weather, Auntie support networks, the Sleeping Giant, hot wheel physics, blood memory & Science, and weaving Indigenous ways of knowing and science into the curriculum through hide tanning.

Awesome MERCH is available www.relationalsciencecircle.com/shop, (supports Elder honoraria, editing, and keeping the podcast going)

Resources from Melissa:

To do this work in a good way, first learn about yourself and your ancestors. Find local Elders, Knowledge Keepers, Indigenous dancers/singers/artists/drummers/storytellers, Aunties, (head to a local Friendship Centre, Pow Wow, Native Centre at a University etc...) offer them semaa (tobacco), pour some tea, and LISTEN. They are LIVING LIBRARIES!

“Achieving Indigenous Student Success- a guide for Secondary Classrooms” by Pamela Rose Toulouse. An amazing book that can provide excellent guidance for baby Turtle Islander (settlers to North America) teachers.

“Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Both of these books are outstanding for illustrating how Indigenous worldviews were the forerunner of Western/Global science. Kimmerer, a Potawatomi woman who is a trained scientist, beautifully explains how Indigenous ways and the Western way can work together to benefit all.

“21 Things you may not know about the Indian Act: Helping Canadians Make Reconciliation with Indigenous Peoples a Reality” by Bob Joseph

This book shows how the Indian Act of 1876 effected the course of action for the Canadian government to eradicate Indigenous people of Turtle Island and how it still controls Indigenous people today.

“The Mishomis Book: The Voice of the Ojibway” by Edward Benton-Banai. This book beautifully shares the Anishinaabeg (Ojibway) way of life and teachings.

Kendomang Zhaagodenomenon Lodge (KZ Lodge) @kz.lodge

Articles here (https://tbifc.ca/program/alternative-secondary-school-program-assp/) and here (https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/thunder-bay/kz-lodge-grant-1.6095408)

Melissa created and facilitated these programs for 2 years alongside the Lakehead Public School Board in Thunder Bay ON. Very cool Globe and Mail article (https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-indigenous-culture-for-credit-how-a-thunder-bay-classroom-aims-to-get/). The program provides traditional, experiential learning on the land that links to the Ontario curriculum, continues today and has even expanded. Teaching hide tanning, beading, snowshoe making, fishing, forest fire fighter training, to tiny home building! The driving factors that Melissa used to develop the program were land, language, culture and community.

Embark (Indigenous STEM Education Program) @ Confederation College in Thunder Bay ON.

Melissa assisted with the development of this program in the role of Elder, Knowledge Keeper, and instructor. This incredible program offers Indigenous high school graduates and Indigenous women of any age the opportunity to explore and engage in STEM at the college level weaving in Indigenous worldviews and content in all areas of their studies. There are also culture-based sessions that have included building a wiigwaas jimaan (birch bark canoe), making snowshoes, paddles, beading, painting, making drums, and sharing traditional stories and cultural practices.

Alicia Brink, a Metis woman, is the manager of the program [email protected] (who kindly shared her email!)

Melissa Roberts also generously offered her email for questions [email protected]

Melissa spoke about Blood Memory as a way of knowing, here is an article about that. (https://northernwilds.com/blood-memory-and-reclaiming-the-path/)

NorthWest Expansion (https://www.northwest.sciencenorth.ca )

“Never about us without us.” Please reach out, ask questions, LISTEN, offer tobacco, and move forward together.

Sponsor: Blue Marble Space Institute of Science

Editing: Emil Starlight www.limelightmultimedia.ca

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