Featured Morning Panel

 
“Environmental Lessons from the Indigenous Knowledge and Wisdom of Long-resident Peoples”

 

This panel will profile Dr. Gloria Snively, Professor Emerita, University of Victoria and Dr. Wanosts’a7 Lorna Williams OBC, Professor Emerita, University of Victoria and Canada Research Chair in Education and Linguistics.

Indigenous knowledge and wisdom may be thought of as natural science refined over time by long-resident populations seeking to sustain both community and environment. Traditional knowledge and wisdom helps us discover sound traditions in technology, habitat and resource sustainability, as well as community-environment relationships. This presentation includes examples of Indigenous knowledge and wisdom, differences and similarities between western and Indigenous science, and strategies for infusing examples of Indigenous Science into education programs. Special attention will be given to BC examples of Indigenous ecological knowledge and wisdom.

Keynote Presenter Bios

  • Dr. Gloria Snively

    Professor Emerita, University of Victoria

    Dr. Gloria Snively is Full Professor Emerita at the University of Victoria where she taught science methods, environmental/marine education, and culture courses. She was Director of the Graduate Program in Environmental Education. For 12 years, she was involved with the Asia Pacific Network whose purpose is to strengthen links between the research community and school-based environmental education in the Asia- Pacific region. Her work with Indigenous education spans 5 decades and has always been inspired by Indigenous leaders. She enjoys giving natural history talks and walks to students, teachers, park interpreters, First Nations and community groups.

  • Dr. Wanosts’a7 Lorna Williams OBC

    Professor Emerita, University of Victoria and Canada Research Chair in Education and Linguistics

    Dr. Wanosts’a7 Lorna Williams OBC walking in peace is Lil’wat of the St’at’yem’c First Nation. Her life has been devoted to promoting and restoring Indigenous culture and language. She worked as an Indigenous educator and language specialist for more than 50 years in diverse settings, including Indigenous communities, public schools, and adult education settings. Dr. Williams recently retired from the University of Victoria as Canada Research Chair in Indigenous Knowledge and Learning (co- appointment with Faculty of Education and Department of Linguistics) and an associate professor, where she developed and delivered an innovative series of courses on learning and teaching in an Indigenous world.