Ninna Piiksii – Mike Bruised Head, “Obtaining Indigenous Knowledge: Really Knowing From Place”

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Nov. 15, 2018
Hosted by the Canadian Parks Research Network at the University of Alberta

Indigenous knowledge should not be “academicized”
Waterton’s Indigenous name reflects glacial-time
Combine western science-thinking with Indigenous thought (to bring back free roaming bison)
- Rancher opposition – worry tuberculosis will transfer to their cattle
The natural, spiritual laws of the land – Indigenous knowledge
No consultation when names were removed from parks, landscapes, and mountains
Wants signage to include both names in Waterton
Indigenous knowledge incorporates animals

Another common theme from today is displacement (of Indigenous Peoples from parks)

Indigenous voices first – guiding questions limit the conversations
Brady Highway – what do the settler communities want from Indigenous communities?
To take away knowledge?
Find a place to create space for Indigenous people to lead the way in conservation
Tension between “taking away knowledge” and wanting to engage with Indigenous communities
How can a single representative from Indigenous communities speak on behalf of a large amount of people (who all have varying values and opinions)?
Comparing differences between communities is not productive
“How to make this more human for Indigenous People” – with regards to collaboration on parks management and conservation
Challenges with framing PR – ensuring information shared to the public is fair to everyone
What about revenue generation for the local Indigenous communities?
Creating a place for productive conversations to occur and facilitate these discussions – the communities will decide what is appropriate for conservation management