Natural science program tours province

Page 9

Before science was test tubes and labs, it was Native.

For as long as they have existed, Native people have followed the patterns of nature, all the while using principles of science that weren't formally recognized until researchers began documenting phenomena like gravity and the Earth's seasonal cycles.

A unique program from the Science Alberta Foundation has captured that blend of knowledge and an appreciation of Native culture in a hands-on series of three mobile programs. Packed into shiny metal crates, the three science programs, crammed with activities and information, tour all over Alberta and into British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

They serve two purposes: They educate non-Native people about the ancient and valuable connection between science and Aboriginal culture, and reawaken ties between Natives and their trusted ways.

"It's like being a natural scientist," said Rhonda Elser, the Native consultant who worked with Science Alberta to create the Aboriginal crates.

Native people themselves may not be aware of the connection between science and their own patterns, but "Once it's highlighted, Native people see we have made a contribution to our community and to our society. That helps with their self-esteem as well as showing the viewpoint of Native people."

A Cree from the Saddle Lake First Nation, Elser became involved through her own interest in science. As a teacher, she set up science fairs, and discovered that children really enjoyed creating projects for all to try and test. "They didn't know that science could be fun."

She attended a workshop given by Science Alberta and liked it. The organization called her one day, asking for help on a new project incorporating Aboriginal beliefs with western science. "It took me a while to brainstorm what would be beneficial and I had to reflect on my own upbringing."

The results of their collaboration eventually resulted in the three programs in crates. The first, Thirteen Moons on a Turtle's Back, is an interactive story about a talking circle of Native teens who share stories about their communities, seasonal cycles and the significance of the months, and the roles we all play in nature.

The second crate, Ways of Knowing: Structures and Design, investigates the importance of design in traditional and contemporary Native societies. Aboriginal architectural achievements are highlighted, along with the relationship between form and function.

The third crate, Ways of Knowing: Time and Space, was recently added to the lineup. It explores the sky from the Native and Western perspectives and shows how Aboriginal teachings of time and space reflect a connection to the Earth. Activities evolve around the northern lights, moon craters and the phases of the moon.

Each crate is filled with "artifacts" used to discover everything from how a baby swing works to the materials ancient Natives used to build their lodges and teepees. Each activity includes instructions for activities and a brief but interesting explanation relating it to Native culture.

Deciding what artifacts should go into the crates took some thinking, said Elser. "It was a lot of hands-on work. The whole idea about Native people in the traditional sense is that they are watching and then doing and learning by hand a lot."

For help in choosing, Elser turned to the people in her own community, who offered advice. In the Structures and Design crate, she included a pair of moccasins from her community. The beading on each item of clothing defines tribes from one another.

The crates have proven rewarding for Elser when she sees the reaction towards Native youngsters in schools that host the exhibits. "It reinforces their learning and their place in that school as part of that community."

It also creates cross-cultural understanding without taking away from Native culture, said Anne Popwell, manager of learning projects for the Science Alberta Foundation.

"I saw the concepts of science throughtheir stories and culture, not the other way around. It's neat for Native kids to see that their people have been practising science for thousands of years. That's something to be proud of."

In fact, one Native youngster even managed to improve on the program when it visited his school, she added.

One of the crates included an activity for building canoes to show the concept of buoyancy. The boy and his fellow students were asked to build canoes out of tinfoil. The child went home that evening, and with his father, carved a wooden one to show the class what a true canoe is supposed to look like.

"It was thrilling," said Popwell.