Activities

TWO-EYED SEEING - educational and professional outreach video
We created a video that looks at Two-Eyed Seeing for collaborations involving Aboriginal and mainstream Canada; it features explanations by Mi'kmaw Elders Murdena and Albert Marshall and CRC in Integrative Science Cheryl Bartlett. You can view it in our multimedia section. Funding was provided by the Mounted Police Foundation (MPF), as supported by the Eskasoni First Nation Detachment of the RCMP.

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TWO-EYED SEEING USED IN MODEL DEVELOPED BY CIHR-IAPH - adoption of Elder Albert Marshall's guiding principle
A significant national arena in which Elder Albert Marshall's guiding principle of Two-Eyed Seeing has been adopted is the 2011 business case prepared by CIHR-IAPH (Canadian Institutes of Health Research - Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health) for its next five year plan for research funding programs. Two-Eyed Seeing has been promoted extensively across Canada over the past many years by Elder Albert and Cape Breton University's CRC in Integrative Science Dr. Cheryl Bartlett.

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TRANSDISCIPLINARY RESEARCH THEORY AND BEST PRACTICES - Integrative Science and Two-Eyed Seeing
In September 2011, the Network for Transdisciplinary Research held its 4th international conference in Berne, Switzerland, with support from the Swiss Academies of Arts and Sciences and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Integrative Science was represented by CRC Cheryl Bartlett and Research Associate Prune Harris. It was apparent that many understandings developed within the co-learning and Two-Eyed Seeing approaches of Integrative Science are congruent with best practices and emerging theory for transdisciplinary research. More information can be found in the downloadable file below.

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AVIAN FILARIOID NEMATODE PARASITES OF THE WORLD - research references and taxonomic lists
Cheryl Bartlett wrote the overview chapter on filarioid nematode parasites in the 2008 book "Parasitic Diseases of Wild Birds". Information that can be downloaded here includes a list of the literature consulted for the chapter and lists of the avian filarioid genera and species of the world. Cheryl is the world expert on avian filarioids and this work represents a synthesis of her NSERC-funded research in parasitology over two plus decades.

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TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION OF CANADA - Atlantic National Event
Indigenous Knowledge Mobilization Circles were held within the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) of Canada event in Halifax in late October 2011. Mi'kmaw Elders Murdena and Albert Marshall of Eskasoni First Nation and Cape Breton University's CRC in Integrative Science Dr. Cheryl Bartlett were invited speakers in these circles. All three emphasized Two-Eyed Seeing as a pathway for reconciliation. More information about the circles is available in the downloadable file below and on the TRC website.

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BOOKS ABOUT INDIGENOUS / ABORIGINAL KNOWLEDGE AND EDUCATION - donation to CBU's Mi'kmaw Resource Centre
Several 100 books about Indigenous / Aboriginal Knowledge, science, resource management, education, storytelling, and more - all relevant to the Integrative Science academic and research programs - were donated to Cape Breton University's Mi'kmaw Resource Centre (MRC) in 2012 by CRC in Integrative Science Cheryl Bartlett. The books have been catalogued into the CBU Library's Novanet system and are available for use at MRC. Contact MRC, via Unama'ki College on the CBU website (www.cbu.ca), for more information.

CREATIVITY IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES - pattern-based thinking for science
Artist Basma Kavanagh and Professor Cheryl Bartlett attended the "Symposium on Creativity in the Arts and Sciences" at the Congress of the Social Sciences and Humanities in Edmonton in 2000. This symposium (sponsored by NRC, the National Research Council of Canada) helped catalyze Cheryl's thinking about the role of pattern recognition in the scientific process and how this could be incorporated into Integrative Science. You can find more information in the downloadable file, including the visual that Basma developed to encourage creative thinking in science. This work was enabled by a research award from Sable Offshore Energy, Inc.

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PATTERN-BASED LEARNING - an Integrative Science pedagogical approach
Recognizing patterns is something all humans do naturally. In Integrative Science we chose to exploit this natural tendency - our human desire for the overall pattern or "big picture" - for the purposes of learning science. We wanted to help students learn "how to learn" and "how to do science", as well as the "what" of content. You can find more information about the pattern-based pedagogical approach we developed for the Integrative Science academic program and its MSIT courses in the downloadable file below. This work was enabled by a SSHRC research award and the program of the CRC in Integrative Science. Also, see "CREATIVITY IN THE ARTS AND SCIENCES - pattern-based thinking for science".

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THOUGHTTRAPS - teaching manuals for Integrative Science
Manuals, called ThoughtTraps, were created in 2000-2001 for the Integrative Science academic program and some of its MSIT courses. Drafts were written by Cheryl Bartlett with input and feedback invited from students, scientists, Elders, educators and interested others. The manuals were used (to varying extents) for teaching during 2000-2005. You can find PDF drafts in the "Academic Program" section of this website within the major section "About the Institute". ThoughtTraps were enabled by a research award from Sable Offshore Energy, Inc.

PATTERN-BASED LEARNING - example teaching materials
In the Integrative Science academic program, a pattern-based pedagogy was used during 2000-2005 to help students learn "how to learn" as well as "what to learn" in regards science. A few examples of teaching materials developed specifically for first year MSIT courses can be found in the downloadable file below. These teaching materials were designed to accompany the ThoughtTraps teaching manuals and were enabled by a research award from Sable Offshore Energy, Inc.

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DREAMCATCHER PROJECT IN MEMBERTOU FIRST NATION - Integrative Science outreach
A giant Dreamcatcher with smaller ones hanging from it can be found suspended in the atrium of the Membertou Trade and Convention Centre in Membertou First Nation. It is a gift from the children of the Membertou Elementary School to their community; the children worked with Mi'kmaw artist Nick Huard to create the Dreamcatcher over a seven year period (2004-2011). CBU's Canada Research Chair in Integrative Science helped enable the project with funding and other support. Read about the project's creation, the inspirational and other support people involved, and the celebrations that took place ... all in the downloadable file below.

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UNAMA'KI COLLEGE OF CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY - mural by artist Basma Kavanagh
Integrative Science's artist Basma Kavanagh created, upon request, the mural that greets everyone immediately upon their entry into the Unama'ki College of Cape Breton University. Basma, who also did considerable artwork for Integrative Science over the years (lots of it is featured on this website), now works and lives elsewhere in Nova Scotia. Read more about Basma in the "People" section of our website ... look under "Artists". Her contact information is also provided there.

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HEALTHY LAND, HEALTHY PEOPLE - research gathering to forge international connections
In early October 2011, Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall attended an NCCAH-sponsored Gathering in Vancouver, BC, to discuss Indigenous knowledges of environment and health as the basis for developing an international collaborative research agenda. Elder Albert brought the Integrative Science program to the attention of the Gathering. Read more in the downloadable file below.

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NEXUS: WESTERN SCIENCE - ENERGY MEDICINE - INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE - national conference and professional outreach
The Canadian Association for Integrative and Energy Therapies held its 13th Annual Energy Psychology Conference in October 2011 in Toronto. Canada Research Chair in Integrative Science Dr. Cheryl Bartlett and Energy Medicine Practitioner / Integrative Science Research Associate Prune Harris gave a presentation that explored the nexus of modern Western Science, Energy Medicine (as per the Donna Eden school of energy medicine), and Indigenous Knowledge (as per the Mi'kmaw understandings shared by Elders Murdena and Albert Marshall of Eskasoni First Nation). The downloadable file below indicates how to access more information about their presentation and the conference.

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CONTEXTUALIZING HEALTH INFORMATION ICTs - national workshop
On 14-16 October 2011, a national workshop to explore the intersections of ICTs and Aboriginal health and identity was held at York University under the guidance of co-covenors Dr. Naomi Adelson of York University and Dr. Cynthia Alexander of Acadia University. It brought together a small group of individuals with Aboriginal and inter-disciplinary academic perspectives; Cape Breton University's Canada Research Chair in Integrative Science Dr. Cheryl Bartlett was an invited participant. More information is available in the downloadable file below.

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TALKING WITH THEIR FEET - Aboriginal health research collaboration
"Talking With Their Feet" was a CIHR-funded research project conducted by Dr. Barbara Paterson during her tenure as Canada Research Chair in Chronic Illness at the University of New Brunswick. Her research team consisted of several collaborators from diverse parts of Atlantic Canada, including Canada Research Chair in Integrative Science Dr. Cheryl Bartlett. The research results were compiled in a colourful, 15 page booklet written in non-academic language. More information about the project and the booklet can be found in the downloadable file below.

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NATIONAL COLLABORATING CENTRES FOR PUBLIC HEALTH - Two-Eyed Seeing and Integrative Science
In June 2010, Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall was an invited speaker at the National Collaborating Centres for Public Health 5th Annual Summer Institute in Winnipeg, MB. He emphasized Integrative Science's Two-Eyed Seeing as a guiding principle for the working together of different knowledges and different ways of knowing. More information about the summer institute is available via the downloadable file below.

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MURDENA MARSHALL SCIENCE SCHOLARSHIP at Cape Breton University - Mi'kmaw science student graduation scholarship
The designation of a "Murdena Marshall Science Scholarship" at Cape Breton University (CBU) recognizes the central and conceptual roles that Elder Murdena played in creating and nourishing the Integrative Science undergraduate science program at CBU, which was intended to help enact Murdena's long-standing dream of seeing Indigenous and Western scientific knowledges and ways of knowing brought together for the purposes of science education. Read more about the scholarship in the downloadable file below.

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MI'KMAW STUDENTS: NSERC USRA RECIPIENTS - Integrative Science student research assistants
Several Mi'kmaw undergraduates have been recipients of prestigious Natural Science and Engineering Research Council of Canada "Undergraduate Summer Research Awards" (NSERC USRAs) while working with the Integrative Science research team at Cape Breton University. More information is available in the downloadable file below.

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BUTTERFLY AND HERB GARDENS - outreach project at Cape Breton University
In 2003 a Butterfly Garden and an Herb Garden were created at Cape Breton University in a location that could be easily accessed and appreciated by the university community and visitors. Most of the work was done by a small team of Integrative Science summer research assistants, students, and friends. Guidance was provided by the late Mike MacDonald who had designed several butterfly gardens across Canada and who traced his Mi'kmaw ancestry to Membertou First Nation. You can read the longer story about the creation and modifications of the gardens in the downloadable file.

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ELDERS MAWIO'MI - ATLANTIC ABORIGINAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT INTEGRATED RESEARCH PROGRAM (AAEDIRP) - community and professional outreach and application
In August 2010, Elders representing Mi'kmaq, Maliseet, Innu and Inuit communities across Atlantic Canada gathered in Millbrook First Nation, within a "Mawio'mi" sponsored by AAEDIRP. Elders discussed Traditional Knowledge and Aboriginal worldviews and how their understandings could be most appropriately shared for research and community economic development projects. Elders Murdena and Albert Marshall and CRC in Integrative Science Cheryl Bartlett helped plan the Mawio'mi and also participated in it.

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MAINSTREAMING INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE FOR SUSTAINABILITY - Integrative Science Elder Albert Marshall at Wingspread conference
In May 2011, Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall brought Two-Eyed Seeing to the conference "Mainstreaming Indigenous Knowledge for Sustainability" held at The Johnson Foundation at Wingspread in Racine, Wisconsin. Read about the conference objectives and how Two-Eyed Seeing is featured in the post-conference commentary "Grandfathers Thunder Blessing" in the downloadable file below.

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NATIONAL ROUNDTABLE ON THE ENVIRONMENT AND THE ECONOMY - Integrative Science Elder participation
On 2 March 2011, Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall participated in the National Roundtable on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) in Sydney, NS. The purpose was to explore how collaborative governance might assist in achieving effective, efficient, and equitable water use by the natural resources sectors. An additional aim was to develop a better understanding of criteria for assessing when collaborative water governance models should be pursued. The event was part of a national initiative from the NRTEE on the sustainable use of water by the natural resource sectors in Canada. The report "Charting a Course: Sustainable Water Use by Canada’s Natural Resources Sectors" that emerged from the national rountable process is available; access information is provided in the downloadable file below.

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HONORARY DOCTORATES at CBU convocation for Mi'kmaw Elders Murdena and Albert Marshall
On October 31, 2009, Elders Murdena and Albert Marshall were each conferred the degree Doctor of Letters, honoris causa, at Cape Breton University's Fall Convocation in recognition of their tireless efforts to help promote Mi'kmaw culture and cross-cultural understandings, reconciliation, and healing. Read more in the downloadable file below.

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COMMUNITY CELEBRATION of the Honorary Doctorates for Elders Murdena and Albert Marshall
On the 30th of October 2009, one day before Mi'kmaw Elders Murdena and Albert Marshall received Honorary Doctorates from Cape Breton University, a community celebration was held in their honor. Integrative Science presented them with the original artwork "Eel Migration" by Basma Kavanagh. A few pictures taken during the celebration can be viewed in the downloadable file below.

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CANADIAN COUNCIL ON LEARNING - ABORIGINAL LEARNING KNOWLEDGE CENTRE - educational linkage
Integrative Science has long used, appreciated, and promoted the Aboriginal Holistic Lifelong Learning Models created by the Aboriginal Learning Knowledge Centre (AbLKC) within the Canadian Council on Learning. Integrative Science also participated in the process that created AbLKC. Read about our role and learn how you can access the AbLKC learning models and publications in the file attached below.

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INTEGRATIVE SCIENCE RESEARCH COMMONS - Four Directions murals
Artist Basma Kavanagh created murals to depict the Four Directions woven within the Four Sacred Mi'kmaw Colours. These hang suspended from the ceiling within the Integrative Science Research Commons at Cape Breton University, creating the feeling of a sheltered canopy in the room. This facility was enabled by funding from the Canadian Foundation for Innovation (CFI) and the Nova Scotia Research Innovation Trust (NSRIT) Fund. You can view the murals in the file below.

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ENVIRONMENT CANADA SPEAKER SERIES - Two-Eyed Seeing and Integrative Science professional outreach
In December 2010, Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall and CRC in Integrative Science Cheryl Bartlett were invited presenters in Environment Canada's Aboriginal Peoples and The Environment Speaker Series in Gatineau, QC. Afterwards, they were presented with the photo book "Two Ways of Knowing: Merging Science and Traditional Knowledge during the Fourth International Polar Year", which they welcome as a companion to their work in Two-Eyed Seeing and Integrative Science! More information on the book is provided in the downloadable file.

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MI'KMAW PROVIDERS, KATAQ AND NETUKULIMK - graduate student research
Sana Kavanagh is finishing her Master of Environmental Studies degree at Dalhousie University, based on qualitative research into Mi'kmaq knowledge of kataq (eels). Innovative aspects include weaving Netukulimk into her research interviews and also using it as an interpretive framework for her results, following advice from Albert Marshall who was the community liaison Elder for Sana's work. Sana is also using visuals in creative ways in all phases of the research process. CRC in Integrative Science Cheryl Bartlett is co-supervising her research and has provided funding from a SSHRC research award.

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TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE OF SEASHELLS - undergraduate student research
in 2008, Alaina Jeddore, a 4th year student from Eskasoni First Nation in the Integrative Science program at CBU did research with Elders to learn the Mi'kmaw names for seashells living around Unama'ki - Cape Breton. Alaina prepared a poster to portray her research findings at CBU's Student Undergraduate Research Forum (SURF). It was her MSIT 403 professor, Mr. Rod Beresford, who encouraged her to pursue the research and share her results at SURF.

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TWO-EYED SEEING IN NUNAVUT - graduate student research plus outreach and application
Sharina Dodsworth in completing her masters research on environmental education for youth in Nunavut. Her research is co-supervised by CRC Cheryl Bartlett and embeds Elder Albert Marhall's Guiding Principle of Two-Eyed Seeing. Sharina worked as the Manager of Communication and as an Environmental Education Specialist with the Department of Environment of the Government of Nunavut. She was responsible for having brought Albert and Cheryl to Nunavut in April 2009 to share understandings with Inuit Elders and others.

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LAUNCH OF CHAPBOOK (research publication) - I Got It From An Elder; conversations in healing language
On February 28, 2008, a celebratory launch for the research publication - a chapbook - entitled "I Got It From An Elder; conversations in healing language" took place at the Membertou Elementary School. The chapbook was written by Dr. Marilyn Iwama based on hours and hours of audio tapes recorded when Dr. Ivar Mendez visited Elder Murdena Marshall in her home in Eskasoni First Nation and the two of them discussed the Mi'kmaw language, especially what Murdena calls the "healing tense". Read more about the chapbook (written in the form of lyric scholarship) and the celebrations in the downloadable file below.

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STORYWORK WORKSHOP - research and community outreach
In June 2009, Integrative Science hosted a two-day "Storywork Workshop" at Cape Breton University to explore Jo-ann Archibald's book "Indigenous Storywork: educating the heart, mind, body, and spirit". We discussed the roles of stories in education, healing, and traditional ecological knowledge. "We" were an all female group of Mi'kmaw Elders, researchers, and educators of various backgrounds and ages. The workshop was funded by SSHRC research awards.

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REKINDLING MI'KMAW STORIES FOR MODERN CHILDRAISING PRACTICES - research and application
Prune Harris is working in conjunction with Mi'kmaw Elders Murdena Marshall, Diana Denny, Susie Marshall and Flo Young from Eskasoni First Nation on an AARHP (Atlantic Aboriginal Health Research Program) funded research project entitled, "Rekindling Mi'kmaw Stories for Modern Childraising Practices". The research team is asking the question "How can Aboriginal Elders' stories best be mobilized to engender and nourish a healthy spirit in children growing up in today's world?"

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ECOLOGY OF THE DISTRICTS OF MI'KMA'KI - place-based knowledge - research
Annamarie Hatcher, a Senior Research Fellow with IISH, is collaborating with Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall on two projects. One is an exploration of modern environmental restoration techniques using the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing. The second is an investigation of the distinct ecological and geological characteristics of the seven traditional districts of Mi'kma'ki.

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INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY 2009 - video - educational and community outreach with Mi'kmaw language promotion
2009 was the United Nations International Year of Astronomy and Canada suggested all countries include Aboriginal astronomy in their celebrations. The Canadian steering committee led by Dr. Jim Hesser (Director of the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory within the NRC Herzberg Institute of Astrophyics) asked CRC in Integrative Science Cheryl Bartlett to lead the national effort to encourage Aboriginal participation in Canada. Working with Mi'kmaw Elders, especially Lillian Marshall and Murdena Marshall, a video of the Mi'kmaw Night Sky Story "Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters" was produced and promoted as an example of what other Aboriginal peoples might consider. You can view the video in our "multimedia" section (and also on YouTube). It was also distributed widely via DVD to schools throughout Nova Scotia as well as selectively across Canada and internationally. The video and its distribution were funded by Cheryl's CRC program. More information about the participants and process involved in making the video can be found in the file below.

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MUIN AND THE SEVEN BIRD HUNTERS - childrens' storybook - community outreach with Mikmaw language promotion
In 2010, CBU Press published our childrens' book created for the Mi'kmaw Night Sky Story of "Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters". The story is actually a legend that serves as an oral calendar based on the stars; we created an animated version in the form of a video for the 2009 United Nations International Year of Astronomy. And then, we quickly recognized the value of having a bilingual book so that readers of all ages and cultures could become more familiar with this educational Mi'kmaw legend. The book is authored by Lillian Marshall, Murdena Marshall, Prune Harris, and Cheryl Bartlett. The work to create the video and the book was enabled financially by Cheryl's CRC and supported by CBU Press. Illustrations were done by Kristy Read and Sana Kavanagh.

MUIN AND THE SEVEN BIRD HUNTERS - book launch - community and educational outreach
In January 2011, the children's storybook "Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters" was launched at a community celebration in the school in Potlotek First Nation, organized by Cape Breton University Press and the Unama'ki College of CBU. The authors (Mi'kmaw Elders Lillian Marshall and Murdena Marshall, Prune Harris, and Cheryl Bartlett) were all present. Shauna Francis, the Principal of the Potlotek School, was one of the first two graduates of CBU's Bachelor of Science Community Studies - Integrative Science degree program.

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MUIN AND THE SEVEN BIRD HUNTERS - national release of video as part of Canadian inaugural events for IYA2009 -outreach
Mi'kmaw Elders Lillian Marshall of Potlotek First Nation and Murdena Marshall of Eskasoni First Nation participated in the Canadian inaugural events for International Year of Astronomy 2009 at the Canadian Science & Technology Museum in Ottawa, ON, on 8 January 2009. It was at this event that our video of the Mi'kmaw Night Sky Story "Muin and the Seven Bird Hunters" was released nationally. Gerald Gloade's painting "Reflections" was featured prominently in the video and was also used, with the artist's permission, across Canada to encourage Aborginal participation in IYA 2009. Funding to enable the Elders' participation in Ottawa came from the Canadian Science & Technology Museum and Cheryl Bartlett's CRC.

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ECO-CALENDAR - research for educational and community outreach with Mi'kmaw language promotion
Our eco-calendar poster, entitled PEMI PUNQEK MI'KMA'KI (ONE FULL YEAR IN MI'KMA'KI), portrays interconnectivity of seasonal eco-patterns and Mi'kmaw traditional activities, as understood by Elders. The eco-calendar is dedicated to the Elders of Mi'kma'ki. This research was funded by a SSHRC research award.

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MI'KMAW CALENDAR - research for educational and community outreach with language promotion
Our Mi'kmaw calendar poster shows how the different moon cycles (months) in the year are named in the Mi'kmaw language. It seeks to help preserve and promote Mi'kmaw knowledge about our human relationships with and within the natural world. The research was funded by a research award from CIHR's Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health.

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TWO-EYED SEEING AT BUSINESS WORKSHOP - community and professional outreach
In February 2010, the Mi'kmaw community of Potlotek partnered with the Unama'ki Economic Benefits Office to deliver a day-long business workshop. Elder Albert Marshall and CRC in Integrative Science Cheryl Bartlett were invited speakers, sharing understandings about Two-Eyed Seeing.

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TWO-EYED SEEING WORKSHOP - science education for children and youth
In May 2007, Integrative Science organized and hosted a one day workshop at Cape Breton University to build a foundation for development of science education modules using "Two-Eyed Seeing". Developmental partners included Mi'kmaw Elders and educators from both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal communities. About 80-100 people attended, including Elders, scientists, educators, education students and science students. Funding support came from the Atlantic Office of NSERC and Cheryl's CRC.

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CANADIAN ABORIGINAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY SOCIETY (CASTS) - national conference
In Septemeber 2005, Cape Breton University in conjunction with its CRC in Integrative Science and Mi'kmaq College Institute along with Aboriginal community partners UINR (Unama'ki Institute of Natural Resources) and Membertou First Nation hosted the national meeting of CASTS (Canadian Aboriginal Science and Technology Society). This was the first time the national organization had met in eastern Canada. Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall of Eskasoni First Nation and CRC in Integrative Science Cheryl Bartlett gave the opening keynote address. It was at this conferene that the Guiding Principle of "Two-Eyed Seeing", as brought forward by Elder Albert, was first introduced to a national audience.

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ANNUAL STORYTELLING SYMPOSIA - CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY - outreach
Dr. Afra Kavanagh, Assistant Professor of Languages and Letters at Cape Breton University, has organized an Annual Storytelling Symposium for 13 consecutive years. CRC in Integrative Science Cheryl Bartlett and various other people associated with Integrative Science have frequently been involved in the symposia, contributing in diverse ways over the years. These contributions and the themes for each year are noted in the file below.

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ASSOCIATION FOR LITERATURE, ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE IN CANADA (ALECC) - funding sponsorship of inaugural national conference
In 2010, CRC in Integrative Science Cheryl Bartlett was a funding partner for ALECC's inaugural national conference in August at Cape Breton University and Mi'kmaw Elder Albert Marshall was a panelist in the opening session. Cultural, ecological and environmental discussions shared space with poetry by award winning poets. ALECC was invited to Cape Breton by CBU's Dr. Afra Kavanagh.

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COMMUNITY-BASED ABORIGINAL HEALTH RESEARCH - visuals for transcultural research and co-learning
Integrative Science Research Assistants Sana Kavanagh and Nadine Lefort created visuals for key terms in health research, which we then used in a community-based health research project funded by CIHR. We worked to develop new understandings within a co-learning methodological approach that brought together "vigour" and "rigour" languages from Mi'kmaw and mainstream perspectives. More information is provided in the file below.

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INTEGRATIVE HEALTH & HEALING - community-based participatory action research project
In March 2006 we held a day-long workshop at Cape Breton University to update and consult with Elders and educators from all five Mi'kmaw communities in Cape Breton. We talked about themes and activities within our community-based, participatory action ressearch project (funded by CIHR) entitled "Integrative Health & Healing: co-learning our way to expanding wholeness through restoration of relationships with the land". You can see in the file below that we used a highly visual approach (we had previously been encouraged by Elders to use visuals to facilitate communication within Aboriginal community-based research).

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SEVEN GENERATIONS - professional outreach
Mi'kmaw Elder Murdena Marshall and CRC Cheryl Bartlett created a visual to depict the Mi'kmaw understanding of "Seven Generations". They did so to help bring clarity into professional discussions wherein the phrase is increasingly being used ... but used in a way that is seldom in agreement with the way the concept is understood by Mi'kmaw Elders. This work was funded by Cheryl's CRC.

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MI'KMAW COLLECTIVE CONSCIOUSNESS - Teachings of Elder Murdena Marshall
Mi'kmaw Elder Murdena Marshall and CRC Cheryl Bartlett worked together to create a visual to help explain "Mi'kmaw collective consciousness". Their organic model uses the analogy of the biological cell (eukaryotic organism). You can access it in the downloadable file, as well as find a partial explanation for why we chose the label "Sense of Place, Emergence, and Participation" for the newly created first year courses in the Integrative Science academic program. This work was funded by a SSHRC research award.

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MI'KMAW TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE - Teachings of Elder Murdena Marshall
Mi'kmaw Elder Murdena Marshall of Eskasoni First Nation is frequently asked to explain "Mi'kmaw Traditional Knowledge”. Murdena thought it would be useful to have a visual and thus the Integrative Science research team helped her to create one. You can access the visual in the downloadable file. This work was enabled by funding from Cheryl Bartlett's CRC.

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MI'KMAW SEVEN SACRED GIFTS OF LIFE - Teachings of Elder Murdena Marshall
Mi'kmaw Elder Murdena Marshall frequently teaches about the Seven Sacred Gifts of Life, as understood by the Mi'kmaw people. You can access here (as a downloadable file) the visual that Murdena uses and distributes broadly. Support funding from Cheryl Bartlett's CRC in Integrative Science has enabled continued availability of Murdena's visual.

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FROM THE FOREST COMES OUR STORY / NIPUKTUK WEJIAQL ATUKUAQNN - youth and community outreach with Mi'kmaw language promotion
We developed a "Puppet Project" to enable innovative learning in which children could use items easily found in the forests near their homes as construction materials to make puppets. Funding support was provided by research awards from CIHR's Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health, the IWK Health Centre Foundation, and the Nova Scotia Health Research Foundation (NSHRF). The Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia provided professional teaching support.

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TEACHERS' IN-SERVICES - TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE IN SCIENCE CURRICULA - professional outreach and application
Over the years, Integrative Science personnel have participated in several in-services and similar events for teachers and other educators, in both Aboriginal and non-aboriginal settings. Our efforts have always been in the spirit of sharing insights and understandings developed as part of our experiences and professional work within the co-learning journey of Integrative Science with its vision to "bring together knowledges from Indigenous and western scientific knowledges and world views" as guided by the principle of Two-Eyed Seeing.

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INTEGRATIVE SCIENCE - CAPE BRETON UNIVERSITY's OPEN HOUSE - community outreach
In November 2005, Integrative Science was one of the hosts within an open house at Cape Breton University. Numerous people of all ages visited our Integrative Science Research Commons to view displays and participate in hands-on activities. Puppet making was very popular.

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ENCOURAGING HOLISTIC THINKING AND TRANSFORMATIVE LEARNING FOR ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT - community outreach
At the request of Cheryl Bartlett and as an aid for the CEPI (collaborative environmental planning initiative) process for the Bras d'Or Lake and its watershed in Unama'ki - Cape Breton, artist Basma Kavanagh created a visual to show how the Island of Cape Breton can be seen to change into a frog. Basma's visual is featured on the original charter for CEPI and also served as an innovative handout for Integrative Science in its efforts to encourage creative thinking based in pattern transformation. Funding support came from Cheryl's CRC in Integrative Science.

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INTEGRATIVE SCIENCE - COLLABORATIVE ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING INITIATIVE - professional outreach and application
In October 2004, Integrative Science held an "Integrative Health and Healing" (IHH) research workshop in conjunction with the community workshop of the Collaborative Environmental Planning Initiative (CEPI) for the Bras d'Or Lakes ecosystem in Cape Breton. CRC Cheryl Bartlett introduced Integrative Science concepts and enabled Mr. Ken Paul to bring forward an explanation of the Medicine Wheel. This was the first time the Medicine Wheel as a learning tool had been considered by the CEPI process. Integrative Science students encouraged other holistic understandings by performing two puppetry shows. The IHH research was funded by CIHR.

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FROGS OF UNAMA'KI – research and community outreach re biodiversity and ecosystem health; pattern research
We created a poster showing the species of frogs and toads in Unama'ki - Cape Breton, NS. Artist Basma Kavanagh painted originals for each of the seven species, including its adult, tadpole, and egg stages and graphic designer Kristy Read worked them into a poster wherein "difference, variation, and pattern" are readily apparent. Details are also provided for each species' life history. This work was funded by a SSHRC research award.

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KEY TO THE LAND SNAILS AND SLUGS OF CAPE BRETON - student research
Undergraduate summer research students Jean MacMillan and Ryan Luedy completed a biodiversity survey of the land snails and slugs in Cape Breton, NS. The species found were illustrated by artist Basma Kavanagh and then Basma, in conjunction with graphic designer Kristy Read, assembled the work into a key to the species. Originally designed as a website document, the key is available here as a PDF. The work was funded partially by NSERC and partially by Cape Breton University research awards to Cheryl Bartlett, as well as Cheryl's CRC in Integrative Science.

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NATURE'S MATHEMATICS - educational and youth outreach with Mi'kmaw language promotion
We created "math cards" to encourage awareness about some commonly encountered patterns in the natural world and the simple mathematical understandings that are represented in those patterns. Artist Basma Kavanagh created the cards' visuals and Integrative Science summer student research assistants used the cards with young campers at Mi'kmaw Summer Science Culture Camps. Funding support was provided by NSERC's PromoScience program and a research award from Sable Offshore Energy, Inc.

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WIPCE (WORLD INDIGENOUS PEOPLES CONFERENCE ON EDUCATION) - educational outreach
In 2005, WIPCE was held in Aotearoa - New Zealand. WIPCE is an international gathering of indigenous people sharing their culture, ideas and practices in education and related fields. Mi'kmaw Elders Murdena and Albert Marshall attended, joining thousands of participants from around the world. They gave oral presentations and their papers were published in the Conference Proceedings. The CRC in Integrative Science provided Murdena and Albert with financial and logistical support.

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LET'S TALK / KE’ILAKNUTMA'TINEJ: BALANCING ABORIGINAL PERSPECTIVES, POLICING, CHALLENGES, PERSPECTIVES – police and community outreach conference
In 2007, we partnered with the Eskasoni First Nation Detachment of the RCMP and the Cape Breton Regional Police Service to organize and host the conference "Let's Talk / Ke'ilaknutma'tinej" for people from police services and Mi'kmaw communities. Understandings were shared within the intent of helping to foster positive relationships in the face of potential future challenges. This conference was a sequel to our 2006 "Recognizing Our Relationships" conference. The RCMP, CBRPS, and CRC in Integrative Science provided support funding.

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NENAQIK NO'KMAQ - RECOGNIZING OUR RELATIONSHIPS - police and community outreach conference
In 2006, the conference "Nenaqik No'kmaq - Recognizing Our Relationships" took place at Cape Breton University organized by the CRC in Integrative Science, the CBU Community Studies Department, the Eskasoni Detachment of the RCMP, and the Cape Breton Regional Police Service. The conference was designed to foster relationships for healthy First Nations communities. Attendance included about 120 individuals from community services, policing, and education as well as Mi'kmaw youth and Elders. The RCMP, CBRPS, and CRC in Integrative Science provided support funding.

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TOQIKUTIMK (TOGETHER WE ARE GROWING): OUR CHILDREN, OUR SUNFLOWERS - youth outreach and Mi'kmaw language promotion
We developed a "Sunflower Project" to help enact Elders' beliefs that young people benefit from experiential learning in nature. We hope that participation will have helped children form memories of creative and caring experiences that they can draw upon when facing difficult choices later in life. Funding support was provided by research awards from CIHR's Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health and the IWK Health Centre Foundation, as well as funding from the Mounted Police Foundation (MPF) through the Eskasoni First Nation Detachment of the RCMP.

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BASKET OF HOPE AND SELF - youth outreach
Andrew Sark, our youth outreach worker, developed this explanation to help children picture how to strive to keep their minds filled with positive influences and thus be better prepared to counter potentially harmful influences in their lives. Research funding came from CIHR's Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health and the IWK Health Centre Foundation.

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THE STORY OF KITPU AND THE GREAT FLOWERS OF NISKUM - youth outreach
Andrew Sark, our youth outreach worker, created this story to emphasize Mi'kmaw spiritual understandings as part of his work with children and the "Sunflower Project". Research funding came from CIHR's Institute of Aboriginal Peoples' Health and the IWK Health Centre Foundation.

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ABORIGINAL SHIELD PROGRAM OF THE RCMP - community application
In 2006, individuals associated with the Institute for Integrative Science & Health at Cape Breton University and from elsewhere in Nova Scotia rewrote the curriculum for the RCMP's Aboriginal Shield Program. This major initiative of the Drugs and Organized Crime Awareness Service is a youth-driven program that provides substance abuse prevention and healthy lifestyles coaching to Aboriginal communities. This work was funded by a successful bid to a national tender process.

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