University of Regina hosts the 2024 Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference from May 21-23
The University of Regina, Faculty of Science, in partnership with First Nations University of Canada and the File Hills Qu’Appelle Tribal Council, is hosting the 2024 Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference.
The conference will bring together scholars, knowledge keepers, and other experts from across North America (Turtle Island) to share advances and experiences in Indigenous science, research, education, and policy.
This three-day conference includes themes focusing on authentic and inclusive approaches to discovery and teaching; engaging youth in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM); Indigenous engagement with water, land and the environment; relationships, partnerships, and sharing knowledges in a good way; and other relevant subjects.
Media are invited to attend all, or part of the proceedings.
Details:
Date: Tuesday, May 21, 2024
Time: 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Location: First Nations University of Canada and University of Regina, main campus
Date: Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Treaty Four Governance Centre, Fort Qu’Appelle
Date: Thursday, May 23, 2024
Time: 8:15 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: University of Regina, main campus
See conference schedule for specific details.
Featured speakers include:
- Professor Gregory Cajete – Native American educator whose work is dedicated to honoring the foundations of Indigenous knowledge in education. He has served as a New Mexico Humanities scholar in ethno-botany of Northern New Mexico and as a member of the New Mexico Arts Commission.
- Honourable Dr. Lillian Dyck – First female First Nations senator and first Canadian born Chinese senator, well-known for her extensive work in the senate on Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women. She earned her Ph.D. in Biological Psychiatry in 1981, from the University of Saskatchewan.
- Elder AJ Felix – National Treaty fire keeper for Treaties 1-11, responsible for bringing fire from one Treaty meeting to the next. Felix is a translator of the spoken Plains Cree language and a member of the Indigenous Advisory Circle at St Thomas More College of the University of Saskatchewan.
- Jessica Hernandez – Indigenous scholar, scientist, and community advocate based in the Pacific Northwest. She is the author of the award-winning book Fresh Banana Leaves: Healing Indigenous Landscapes through Indigenous Science. Forbes has named Hernandez one of the 100 most powerful & influential women in Central America.
Featured banquet speaker:
- Alyssa Wapanatâhk, actress, filmmaker, public speaker and activist, will provide remarks during the conference banquet Wednesday evening. A few of her film credits include roles in Disney’s Peter Pan & Wendy (2023), Bones of Crows (2023) and CW’s Riverdale. As a mother, daughter, and aunty; Wapanatâhk’s biggest goal in life is to nurture and cultivate wellness in those around her, to enrich the mind, body and spirit. She is proud to use the natural laws and practices of Cree-based understanding.
Interviews with the conference organizers, and speakers can be arranged through the media contact noted.
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About the University of Regina
2024 marks our 50th anniversary as an independent University (although our roots as Regina College date back more than a century!). As we celebrate our past, we work towards a future that is as limitless as the prairie horizon. We support the health and well-being of our 16,700 students and provide them with hands-on learning opportunities to develop career-ready graduates. Our research enterprise has grown to include 21 research centres and 12 Canada Research Chairs and brings in more than $51.2 million in funding annually. Our campuses are on Treaties 4 and 6 - the territories of the nêhiyawak, Anihšināpēk, Dakota, Lakota, and Nakoda peoples, and the homeland of the Michif/Métis nation. We seek to grow our relationships with Indigenous communities to build a more inclusive future.
Let's go far, together.