New faculty members bringing Indigenous knowledge to the forefront
Mount Allison welcomed several new faculty members to campus, including two academics with a specific focus on Indigenous knowledge.
A member of the Wiikwemkoong Unceded Territory, Dr. Jesse Popp (geography and environment) joined Mount Allison from Laurentian University where she was the first Indigenous student to complete a PhD specializing in natural sciences.
Popp’s work seeks to use the strengths of both Indigenous and Western science practices in her teaching and research. Indigenous science incorporates Indigenous knowledge and tradition as part of its discipline.
“Looking at environmental issues through an Indigenous lens and with this knowledge gives students a valuable experiential learning opportunity,” she explains. “More education is needed around Indigenous science and I’m glad to play a role in this for Mount Allison.”
A member of the Garden River First Nation community of the Anishinaabeg in Northern Ontario, Dr. Karl Hele joined Mount Allison in Canadian studies.
He says he is looking forward to working with colleagues and the community to help establish more classes and opportunities with an Indigenous focus at Mount Allison.
“I believe learning Indigenous history, being familiar with documents like the Indian Act and treaties, is an important step in education and reconciliation,” says Hele. “I’m excited to begin my courses at Mount Allison.”