Enacting Ethical Space in Knowledge Sharing

This dialogue originally aired August 26,2020

Building upon the first conversation on Indigenous knowledge and science, this second dialogue focused on Indigenous Ethics in relationship to Indigenous knowledge.

The dialogue brought together Indigenous knowledge holders, scholars, practitioners and scientists, Danika Littlechild, Elder Dr. Dave Courchene Jr., Elder Ira Provost, Elder Elmer Ghostkeeper, Indigenous scholar Dr. Vicki Kelly, Dr. Kelly Bannister, Dr. Gleb Raygorodetsky and Karin Smith-Fargey.

In this dialogue, attention was given to the enactment of ethical space and the role of Indigenous ethics and Indigenous knowledge in facilitating knowledge sharing. The dialogue began with honouring and sharing different ethical understandings. These offerings were then gifted to the project convenors Miles Richardson, O.C.; Dr. David Suzuki; Dr. Nancy Turner; and Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Jr., who were then invited to speak to the understandings shared. Then, the circle was opened to participants who witnessed the dialogue to share questions, comments and reflections.

Speaker biographies

Danika Littlechild

A member of Ermineskin Cree Nation (Neyaskweyahk) in Maskwacis, Treaty 6 territory in Alberta, Danika Billie Littlechild is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Law and Legal Studies at Carleton University's Faculty of Public Affairs. A former practicing lawyer in Alberta, Danika's work has focused on the rights of Indigenous Peoples, the environment, water, conservation and international law. Danika served as co-chair of the Indigenous Circle of Experts under Canada's Pathway to Target 1 initiative, and continues to serve as an advisor to various organizations and governments on environment, water, conservation and biodiversity. Danika is excited to work with the Conservation through Reconciliation project as the Lead for the Research Stream on Ethical Space.

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene Jr. - Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Leading Earth Man)

Known to many as Nii Gaani Aki Inini (Leading Earth Man), Anishinaabe Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Jr. has devoted his life to creating a healthy environment for current and future generations, carrying messages of hope and peace around the globe, and learning the knowledge and traditions of Indigenous Peoples around the world. Serving as a member of the Wisdom Keepers of the United Nations since 1992, he has acted in an advisory capacity to the UN in areas of spirituality and sustainable environmental stewardship. In his efforts to bring messages of peace and hope to the world, Elder Courchene founded Turtle Lodge International Centre for Indigenous Education and Wellness, as a place of learning, healing and sharing for all people, in 2002. He has built alliances with institutions, academics, and policy makers across the country, and is known for his ability to inspire dialogue and cross-cultural understanding. His leadership is rooted in generosity, kindness, and a desire for peace and sustainability. Elder Courchene’s work has been recognized with many prestigious honours, most recently including an Honorary Doctor of Laws from the University of Winnipeg.

Elder Ira Provost

Elder Ira Provost is Piikani from the Piikani First Nation, a member of the Blackfoot Confederacy, in Southern Alberta, Canada. He is the Manager of Piikani Nation Consultation representing the Piikani First Nation in External Government Relations as intermediary between external proponents (Industry & Government) and the Nation to facilitate and conduct relationship in Piikani ancestral land development. Ira’s graduate studies have involved the impact and examination of consultation and Indigenous knowledge application in land and land use planning as these relate to the implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP) and the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. Ira has also developed innovative technologies for his nation in Traditional Knowledge data capture and meaningful implementation into business development. Ira is also an educator, multi-talented musician, performer and songwriter working and contributing to many educational initiatives in the past few decades. Ira’s music reflects his profession as an educator and scholar of Native American (Indigenous) awareness and understanding. His songs tell stories of gaining strength from culture and heritage by restoring identity in Indigenous people of all ages, everywhere.

Elder Elmer Ghostkeeper

Elder Elmer Ghostkeeper was born to parents Adolphus and Elsie Ghostkeeper at the Paddle Prairie Métis Settlement, Alberta. He is Métis and speaks fluent Michif, the language of Métis people. He is a Spiritualist, father, grandfather, teacher, student, learner, philosopher and entrepreneur. His work is “Weche Teachings”, a partnership of Aboriginal Wisdom and Western Scientific Knowledge, and “Wisescience”, a methodology to understand and solve modern day puzzles effecting Aboriginal People. Elmer has a BA in Anthropology and a MA in Cultural Anthropology and is the author of Spirit Gifting: The Concept of Spiritual Exchange, which is his published Master’s thesis. In 2004, Elmer received the Order of the Métis Nation. He currently serves on the Government of Alberta’s Indigenous Wisdom Advisory Panel (IWAP) and on the new Government of Canada Indigenous Advisory Committee that was created to provide expert advice and participate in the development of policy and guidance for the new federal impact assessment system.

Dr. Vicki Kelly

Vicki Kelly is an Anishinaabe/Métis artist, educator and scholar. She plays the Native American Flute, and is a visual artist, dancer, art therapist and writer. She completed a two-year traditional apprenticeship at the Freda Diesing School of Northwest Coast Art as part of her research in Indigenous Art as a knowledge practice. Her areas of interest and teaching include Indigenous Education, Art Education, Ecological Education, Health Education, and Contemplative Education. Her research involves Indigenous knowledge practices; art as a site of ecological activism; Many-Eyed seeing; Indigenous ethics; Indigenous pedagogies and Indigenous ways of knowing. She works with Indigenous and Arts-based Narrative methodologies as well as Indigenous métissage and teacher inquiry. Her scholarship and practices are grounded in Indigenous knowledge traditions, Indigenous ethics and Indigenous ceremony.

Dr. Kelly Bannister

Dr. Kelly Bannister is an ethnobiologist and biocultural ethicist who specializes in applied research ethics, focusing on ethical and legal issues in research and education involving biodiversity, Indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage. Much of her work has examined the role of governance tools and processes (such as ethical codes, codes of conduct, community research protocols, and research agreements) to address power relations and facilitate equitable research practices in collaborative research. Her current work explores new approaches to ethics policy and practice offered through Indigenous and relational ethics, intercultural communication, Zen-based conflict resolution and embodied peacemaking. Kelly has been involved in ethics policy research, analysis, development and education from local to national and international levels over the last 20 years, working with and for Indigenous organizations, universities, government and non-governmental organizations. Kelly lives in unceded Coast Salish territory on the west coast of British Columbia.

Dr. Gleb Raygorodetsky

Dr. Gleb Raygorodetsky is a biocultural heritage expert, with over two decades of practical, research, and leadership experience in the areas of Indigenous community-based conservation, management, monitoring and research; climate change resilience; and philanthropy. Gleb was born and raised in a small village on the Bering Sea coast of Kamchatka Peninsula, USSR. He has a Ph.D. in Ecology, Evolution & Environmental Biology. He is a co‑founder of Conversations with the Earth, an indigenous-led multimedia initiative that amplifies indigenous voices in the global discourse on climate change. He has worked for, collaborated with, and written about the world’s Indigenous Peoples. In his award-winning book, The Archipelago of Hope: Wisdom and Resilience from the Edge of Climate Change, he documents how the inextricable relationship between Indigenous cultures and their territories forms the foundation for climate change resilience around the world. 

Karin Smith-Fargey

Karin has proven success in bringing people together in partnership to strengthen community and build bridges across worldviews. She is currently a senior advisor within the Community Based Monitoring and Research Section, Resource Stewardship Division in Alberta Ministry of Environment and Parks. Over the last 30 years, Karin has worked with not-for profit organizations, municipal, provincial and federal governments while living in diverse communities and places from Israel to Ghana, West Africa, to northern Alberta and the tiny village of Val Marie in southern Saskatchewan. Karin is a daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother. She is guided and held by the streams, the forest and fields on a farm near Lac Ste Anne, Alberta.