“Recognizing and engaging with Indigenous knowledge is not just something important in North America, but has global importance – as Indigenous people continue to maintain their knowledge systems, and ways of life,” explained Professor Dan Longboat, director of the unique Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences (IESS) program at Trent University and co-organizer of recent conference, Re-igniting the Sacred Power of Creation.

The three-day conference, organized by the IESS program and other community partners, was the first of its kind in North America, and focused on bringing together Indigenous teachings and traditional knowledge with a specific focus on addressing complex environmental challenges. Conference participants were engaged in keynote addresses, workshops, panel discussions, plenary sessions and break-out action groups to learn from Indigenous knowledge holders and develop plans for addressing environmental issues. Re-igniting the Sacred Power of Creation brought together Indigenous and non-Indigenous thinkers in the environment sector, and youth and elders to create a unique dynamic not often experienced at academic conferences.

Prof. Longboat says it made perfect sense to host the conference at Trent University.

“It is a natural fit for Trent, the first university in Canada to have an Indigenous Studies program and one of the first to have an environmental studies program,” said Prof. Longboat. “Naturally, we would be the first to combine those two into an Indigenous Environmental Studies and Sciences (IESS) program. What better way to promote the program and the nature of the program in highlighting and recognizing Indigenous knowledge as a foundation for transformative change in all of our relationships to the natural world than an international conference.”

When planning the conference, organizers drew upon the network of relationships that have been built in the IESS program. The weekend events included keynote addresses by four powerful female leaders from Indigenous Nations around the world including: Dr. Vandana Shiva, a physicist and activist from India; Winona LaDuke, an Anishinaabeg activist focusing on sustainable development and food issues; Dr. Robin Kimmerer, plant ecologist and founding director of the Centre for Native Peoples and the Environment at State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry; and Dr. Manulani Aluli-Meyer, Hawaiian knowledge holder working in the field of Indigenous epistemology.

 “We are so fortunate and grateful to have had the opportunity to create and share this conference with students, faculty, and the community at large,” Prof. Longboat said about the event. “The impact of the conference has been enlightening, transformative, and galvanizing for both conference speakers and participants. We would like to thank everyone for their support and dedication to the work of healing the Earth so that all life can continue.”