4. Indigenous People and STEM

4. Indigenous Peoples and STEM

Minds On: Think about how this module has challenged you or opened your mind. When you are able to reflect on what you learn, and apply it to your real life and work you are developing your Self-Awareness. Consider how you can demonstrate or communicate to others that you have strong Self-Awareness skills.

Indigenous Peoples Have Always Known About STEM

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 beginning to recognize and acknowledge Indigenous Peoples’ deep relationship to the land and their traditional knowledge. From physics, biology, chemistry, meteorology, astronomy, health sciences, geography, and countless others -- Indigenous peoples have always known about STEM. For example, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs has long been reflected in Blackfoot teachings, (another practical example).

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, Botanist Robin Wall Kimmerer, Archeologist Dr. Pauletter Steeves, Indigenous Mathematics researcher Bryan Bellefeuille, and Astronomer Wilfred Buck. Use the following resources and reflection tools to expand your learning, understanding and empathy of Indigenous peoples, cultures and Nationhoods.

Activity Four

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: Introduction to Indigenous Knowledge : Ep 8 of Crash Course Native American History (8:52)

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

Reflection Questions:

Both the videos reference the traditional STEM knowledge that Indigenous people have always had. With this in mind:

What did you take away from Crash Course talk? Why?
What did you take away from Dr. Leroy Little Bear’s talk? Why?
How can you take what you have learned here and bring it into your role as an instructor?
Was any of the information you learned surprising? Did anything counter your previous beliefs or provide you with a new perspective?