Dr. Suzie Nilson, a VIU Biology Professor, and Stella Johnny, a Traditional Knowledge Keeper from Cowichan Tribes, are working together to teach INTR 211: Indigenous and Western Sciences of Plants and the Environment, a new course that presents Indigenous and Western science knowledge on plants and their relationship to human health and the environment.
December 21, 2016 - 11:30am
INTR 211: Indigenous and Western Sciences of Plants and the Environment is the first of its kind at VIU and the first of two courses in which a Biology Professor and a Traditional Knowledge Keeper will teach these two different ways of learning and knowing science
There are many ways of looking at the world, and a new science course at Vancouver Island University’s (VIU’s) Cowichan campus will explore plants and the environment from two viewpoints – Indigenous and Western.
Dr. Suzie Nilson, a VIU Biology Professor, and Stella Johnny, a Traditional Knowledge Keeper from Cowichan Tribes, are working together to teach INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES 211: Indigenous and Western Sciences of Plants and the Environment, a new course that starts in January. The course – the first of its kind at VIU – will focus on plants and their relationship to human health and the environment by presenting Indigenous and Western science knowledge during lectures on Tuesdays and labs on Thursdays.
“We may see and do things in different ways at times,” says Suzie. “I think one of the most important things students will see is our respect for each other’s knowledge relative to science, which is an important component of walking together in this way. It‘s a two-way-learning, equal-respect model. Each of us will present our knowledge to the class, and students will have the opportunity to learn and participate in the two ways of learning and knowing science.”
Johnny, who has a Bachelor of Arts in First Nations Studies from VIU and is currently working on her Masters of Education in Leadership from VIU, is excited to share her traditional plant medicine knowledge with students and the protocols that surround the harvesting of local plants, as well as continuing to learn.
“We share knowledge through stories that explain why the plant medicine does what it does, and those stories help us remember,” she says. “Protocol is very important. When you’re harvesting, you need to think about where and what time you’re harvesting from and why you’re doing it, and you make sure that’s stated clearly before you begin.”
INTR 211 will be offered for the first time in January, but the concept began a decade ago when Dr. Nilson and Delores Louie, a VIU Elder-in-Residence, began meeting to talk about what could be done to bring Indigenous and Western ways of learning and knowing science together. Auntie Delores Louie will also present her knowledge to the class.
“The course was developed in response to the questions Indigenous learners were asking about why their science was not reflected in the curriculum, and expressed interest by non-Indigenous learners as well,” says Dr. Nilson.
MaryDawn MacWatt, a VIU Bachelor of Education student who graduates in May, is excited about the course.
“Being from an Inuit culture, I understand my responsibility to maintain a harmonious relationship with plants, animals, the land and human beings,” she says. “For millennia, my family has maintained a relationship with, and healed from, the plants with which they shared the land. How awesome that a Traditional Knowledge Keeper here on Vancouver Island is willing to share such sacred knowledge and how amazing is it that this knowledge will be accompanied with Western scientific knowledge as well. What a beautiful way to join philosophies, share wisdom and learn about all the healing qualities of the plants.”
The four-credit course satisfies the science requirement for Bachelor of Education students. VIU students from other disciplines are also participating, as well as students from the local high schools.
INTR 211 takes place at the Cowichan Campus on Tuesdays from 4:30 – 7:30 pm and Thursdays from 4:30 – 6:30 pm. The course is currently full, but students are welcome to put their names on a waiting list if they wish to enroll. Dr. Nilson and Johnny are also working on an Indigenous and Western Sciences of the Human Body course, which will be offered in January 2018.
To learn more, contact Dr. Nilson or Johnny at Suzanne.Nilson@viu.ca or Stella.Johnny@viu.ca. To explore more programs on offer at VIU Cowichan, visit cc.viu.ca.
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Tags: Teaching and Learning
