The Power of Place: The role of place-based pedagogy, culturally-infused curriculum and inter-generational education in Native Environmental Science

Presentation Abstract

As part of this panel, I will discuss the development of the first Bachelor program at Northwest Indian College - the Bachelor of Science in Native Environmental Science (BSNES). I will present how the connection to, and relationship with place is central to this degree program – both in terms of pedagogy and program outcomes. In this session, I will explore how place-based pedagogy, culturally-infused curriculum, and inter-generational education ground and inform the NES degree program. This approach is consistent with Indigenous education, wherein connection to place and knowledge of the environment has been, and continues to be, critical in supporting and maintaining resilient and thriving communities. Native environmental scientists build upon their connection to place by being innovative and using Indigenous knowledge and technologies to promote sovereignty and self -determination. Other pillars of the BSNES program build on this connection, particularly: relationality -- an awareness of self and knowledge of relations’ ancestry; inquiry -- engaging in research and addressing questions that are relevant to Indigenous communities; and communication -- enacting the transfer of knowledge through diverse genres.

Session Title

Salish Sea Studies: An integrating context for teaching, research, and community engagement

Conference Track

Engagement

Conference Name

Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference (2016 : Vancouver, B.C.)

Document Type

Event

Start Date

2016 12:00 AM

End Date

2016 12:00 AM

Location

2016SSEC

Type of Presentation

Oral

Genre/Form

conference proceedings; presentations (communicative events)

Contributing Repository

Digital content made available by University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Subjects – Topical (LCSH)

Northwest Indian College--Degrees; Environmental sciences--Study and teaching (Higher)--Washington (State)--Lummi Reservation

Subjects – Names (LCNAF)

Northwest Indian College

Geographic Coverage

Lummi Reservation (Wash.); Salish Sea (B.C. and Wash.)

Comments

This is part of a panel discussion that is chaired by Steve Hollenhorst

Rights

This resource is displayed for educational purposes only and may be subject to U.S. and international copyright laws. For more information about rights or obtaining copies of this resource, please contact University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA 98225-9103, USA (360-650-7534; heritage.resources@wwu.edu) and refer to the collection name and identifier. Any materials cited must be attributed to the Salish Sea Ecosystem Conference Records, University Archives, Heritage Resources, Western Libraries, Western Washington University.

Type

Text

Language

English

Format

application/pdf

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The Power of Place: The role of place-based pedagogy, culturally-infused curriculum and inter-generational education in Native Environmental Science

2016SSEC

As part of this panel, I will discuss the development of the first Bachelor program at Northwest Indian College - the Bachelor of Science in Native Environmental Science (BSNES). I will present how the connection to, and relationship with place is central to this degree program – both in terms of pedagogy and program outcomes. In this session, I will explore how place-based pedagogy, culturally-infused curriculum, and inter-generational education ground and inform the NES degree program. This approach is consistent with Indigenous education, wherein connection to place and knowledge of the environment has been, and continues to be, critical in supporting and maintaining resilient and thriving communities. Native environmental scientists build upon their connection to place by being innovative and using Indigenous knowledge and technologies to promote sovereignty and self -determination. Other pillars of the BSNES program build on this connection, particularly: relationality -- an awareness of self and knowledge of relations’ ancestry; inquiry -- engaging in research and addressing questions that are relevant to Indigenous communities; and communication -- enacting the transfer of knowledge through diverse genres.