Indigenous peoples have always had an innate understanding of the world, the universe and their place within it. This understanding is grounded in knowledge systems based on observations and participation of which western science is only now rediscovering. Not only have Indigenous peoples always known about STEM, they have always seen themselves as part of it—active participants in the development and applications of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Western science is only now beginning to recognize and acknowledge Indigenous peoples’ deep relationship to the land and their knowledge of concepts of physics, geometry, astronomy and mathematics. From physics, biology, chemistry, meteorology, astronomy, health sciences, geography, and countless others -- Indigenous peoples have always known about STEM; this understanding has long been central to Actua’s InSTEM model, and for far longer this has been the work of many Indigenous peoples including leaders such as Dr. Leroy Little Bear.

Use the following resources and reflection tools to expand your learning, understanding and empathy of Indigenous peoples, cultures and nationhoods.

For this module, we would like to highlight two sections of this Toolkit created by Actua.

Toolkit link: Educator Toolkit: Indigenous Knowledge and STEM Curriculum Connections

Section 1: Indigenous Aspects of Culture Glossary, (pages 8 - 12)

Section 2: Connecting Indigenous Knowledge to STEM, (pages 13 - 14)

For Activity Four, watch the following videos. Then, using your Indigenous Worldviews Workbook or notebook you can record your thoughts for the reflection questions that follow. Try to use information from the resources as well as thoughts from your personal experience.

Videos:

Watch: The case to recognise Indigenous knowledge as science | Albert Wiggan | TEDxSydney (10:26)

Watch: Indigenous Knowledge and Western Science: Dr. Leroy Little Bear Talk (21:32)

Reflection Questions:

Both the video of Albert Wiggan and the video of Dr. Leroy Little Bear addresses the traditional knowledge and STEM knowledge that Indigenous people have always had. With this in mind:

1. What did you take away from Albert Wiggan’s TED talk? Why?
2. What did you take away from Dr. Leroy Little Bear’s talk? Why? 
3. How can you take what you have learned here and bring it into your role as an instructor?