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Guided Inquiry Prompts: Weaving Indigenous and Western Sciences

Secondary, Middle

Description

This learning experience focuses on Indigenous and Western ways of knowing around the sciences. The resource provides five sets of guided inquiry prompts that incorporate components of Two-Eyed Seeing (Etuaptmumk) with the goal of inviting discourse about the nature of science. They have the flexibility to be incorporated into any intermediate or senior science lesson; however, the topics covered are interdisciplinary in nature and could be included in a variety of courses.

Each section begins with an excerpt from Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants (2015) by Robin Wall Kimmerer followed by related principles of Two-Eyed Seeing, suggested questions for inquiry and conversation, and additional resources.

These questions and conversations can be integrated into individual lessons, or at the start of a class and positioned as an overarching lens. Incorporating these experiences can take a variety of forms, anywhere from a fifteen-minute introductory task to a full period investigation.

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

Each set of inquiry prompts can stand alone or be completed as a set. Learning through inquiries and experiences from questions and discussions makes it authentic and meaningful. These inquiry prompts promote discussions and conversations for students’ perspectives and voices. They can open the door to more critical conversations, such as the importance of embracing the wealth of Indigenous knowledge to help us solve climate change issues and make climate change mitigation and adaptation more effective. Curriculum links for grades 7-12

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring and sharing multiple perspectives extends our thinking.
        • Exploring stories and other texts helps us understand ourselves and make connections to others and to the world
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspective
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 9: The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them.
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 10: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Literary Studies 10: People understand text differently depending on their world views and perspectives
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies + Writing: First Peoples texts and stories provide insight into key aspects of Canada’s past, present, and future.
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies + Writing: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives
        • Literary Studies 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Spoken language 11: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
        • Environmental Science 11:Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science for Citizenship 11: Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples 12:First Peoples texts and stories provide insight into key aspects of Canada’s past, present, and future
  • Manitoba
  • New Brunswick
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Research, interpret and analyze
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Interactions and Ecosystems
    • Grade 8
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 10: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Literary Studies 10: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences
  • Nova Scotia
  • Nunavut
  • Ontario
  • Prince Edward Island
  • Quebec
  • Saskatchewan
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 7
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Exploring and sharing multiple perspectives extends our thinking.
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time
    • Grade 8
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspective
    • Grade 9
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 9: The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them.
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Composition 10: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Literary Studies 10: People understand text differently depending on their world views and perspectives
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies + Writing: First Peoples texts and stories provide insight into key aspects of Canada’s past, present, and future.
        • English First Peoples - Literary Studies + Writing: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives
        • Literary Studies 11: Questioning what we hear, read, and view contributes to our ability to be educated and engaged citizens.
        • Spoken Language 11: The exploration of text and story deepens our understanding of diverse, complex ideas about identity, others, and the world.
        • Spoken language 11: People understand text differently depending on their worldviews and perspectives.
      • Environmental Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Environmental Science 11: Human practices affect the sustainability of ecosystems
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science for Citizenship 11: Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • English/Language Arts
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • English First Peoples 12:First Peoples texts and stories provide insight into key aspects of Canada’s past, present, and future

Themes Addressed

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

Indigenous Knowledge (2)

  • Etuaptmumk/Two-Eyed Seeing
  • TEK -- Traditional Ecological Knowledge

Science and Technology (1)

  • Alternative Ways of Doing Science

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