Signal Fire Film

This project has been a few years in the making. It involves multiple ways of seeing, knowing and benefiting and we appreciate that it will take decades of listening, collaboration, self-correction and sharing our learnings to make a meaningful difference. Now we are reaching out to our networks to join us in that sharing. We want to engage with research scientists, universities, funders, journal publications, Indigenous scholars, elders, youth and governments who can inspire reflection and ignite conversations that translate the responsibilities of reconciliation into practice. Signal Fire is a 30-minute educational documentary adapted from the well-received research paper Towards Reconciliation: 10 Calls to Action to Natural Scientists working in Canada. The film and its associated resources offer a starting point for anyone interested in improving how we all conduct, communicate and benefit from science research. The film is free to watch and you can stream it from our website. We invite you to follow this page and help us create a ripple effect by sharing some of the ideas and stories with your networks. We all have a common connection to the land. We can all do better to rebalance relationships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Canadians. Learn more by visiting our website: www.signalfirefilm.ca Carmen Wong, Lawrence Ignace, Heidi Swanson, Gùdia - Mary Jane Johnson, Kate Hicks, Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), NRCan Science #science #Reconciliation #NaturalScience #research #dobetter #canada #storiesthatmatter

Call 4 | Respect our Elders + Respect Animals Research on animals in Canada requires demonstration of humane practices and approval from an Animal Ethics Committee housed within Universities or governments. While Indigenous worldviews align with that of not doing undue cruelty to animals, there is often much more required in specific, local customs to demonstrate respect to animals and the land. There are Indigenous protocols to follow to demonstrate stewardship for the land — scientific research should also follow these protocols. KEY TAKEAWAYS >> Recognize that there are different worldviews on ethical ways to treat animals. >> Often in the order of things within Indigenous cultures humans are at the bottom and our role is to ensure the survival of the animals and the environments on which they depend. >> The philosophy of "all my relations" captures these connections and responsibilities. >> Our society has become removed from its relationship with the natural world. How we are currently choosing to neglect our relationship with animals is a demonstration of how removed we have become. >> This approach seeks to shift societies relationship not only with nature but also the traditional western science approach. #science #Reconciliation #NaturalScience #research #dobetter #Canada #twoeyedseeing

Reconciliation requires respectful engagement between Indigneous and non-Indigenous Canadians. A starting point is to have an open mind and understand that not everyone sees the world in the same way. In this clip, Dr. Heidi Swanson describes some of the realizations she has come to as a natural science researcher.  To learn more, visit www.signalfire.ca #reconciliation #science #documentary #dobetter #storiesmatter #canada #TRC #education #twoeyedseeing

Reconciliation is about restoring balance in the relationship between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous Canadians. It involves a shift in power and knowledge, that is, who holds the knowledge and who decides what type of knowledge is recognized as valid…. Meaningful knowledge sharing and knowledge co-production results in better understanding and management of resource activities on the land. KEY TAKEAWAYS >> Complex problems require multiple ways of knowing. >> Recognize that sharing knowledge goes two ways. Actively show that you respect Indigenous Knowledge and the information needs of Indigenous communities. Make time and space to listen. >> A way of re-balancing and sharing power is through knowledge co-production. >> It means having an open mind to producing new ways of knowing and seeing different outcomes #science #Reconciliation #NaturalScience #research #dobetter #canada Website: https://lnkd.in/d67wfrW3

Kyle Bobiwash is one of several contributors to the Signal Fire documentary. Filmed on locations across Canada including Indigenous communities, research sites and universities, the 30-minute film features stories from the authors and their colleagues who are working to put the ideas and intentions of the 10 Calls to Action to Natural Scientists Working in Canada into practice. Watch the film (EN): https://lnkd.in/g8jZZi2d Watch the film (FR): https://lnkd.in/gi_AbbPr #science #Reconciliation #NaturalScience #research #dobetter #Canada

Reconciliation requires AWARENESS of the past and ACKNOWLEDGEMENT of the harms caused. In this clip, Prof. Shandin Pete, Ed.D. describes how science's foundational beliefs limited the ability for knowledge sharing and respect with Indigenous communities. To learn more, visit signalfirefilm.ca #science #Reconciliation #NaturalScience #research #dobetter #Canada

The common ground between Indigenous communities and scientists might be an understanding that we are all part of something greater than our differences and that complex problems can benefit from multiple ways of knowing…. Reconciliation requires exploring opportunities for reciprocity such that both the Indigenous community and the natural scientist benefit from publicly funded research…. Relationships must always be built on a strong foundation of respect for Indigenous rights, guidelines, protocols, customs, and respect for the land on which the work is occurring. KEY TAKEAWAYS >> Seek meaningful relationships based on a strong foundation of respect for Indigenous Knowledge, peoples and the land. >> Engage early to consider community priorities and explore ways to create mutual benefits from publicly funded research before you set the scope of your project. >> Be open to how Indigenous and Western knowledge systems can each contribute. >> Find a mentor with a history of respectful relationships with Indigenous peoples of the area. If appropriate, hire a local liaison. >> Meet face-to-face. Be sensitive to available capacity and technology. Ask for feedback on how often to meet and the best ways to communicate. #science #Reconciliation #Natural Science #research #dobetter #canada

Gùdia - Mary Jane Johnson is one of five authors who worked together to write the paper “Towards Reconciliation: 10 Calls to Action to Natural Scientists Working in Canada”. The paper was founded in frustration, friendship and hope. The calls are meant to help researchers move toward reconciliation. The authors focused on natural scientists because a common connection to the land should tie them more closely to Indigenous communities than currently exists. They also focused on natural sciences because of the underrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in this field. Scientists share in Canadians’ collective responsibility to feed the fires of reconciliation — to shift the power balance and meet the needs of Indigenous peoples and communities. The 10 calls to action outlined in the research paper translate the recommendations of Canada’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission into concrete actions and approaches scientists can take on an institutional and individual level. Download the paper (EN): https://lnkd.in/ghhckzVk Download the paper (FR): https://lnkd.in/gKAihxsF Carmen Wong Kate Hicks Lawrence Ignace Gùdia - Mary Jane Johnson Heidi Swanson #science #Reconciliation #NaturalScience #research #dobetter #canada

Indigenous peoples have the right to self-determination as per Article 3 of UNDRIP (United Nations General Assembly 2007). We all have a moral obligation to understand how Indigenous peoples are manifesting or attempting to express these rights in our everyday lives and activities… Engaging with Indigenous peoples in all types of research will support Indigenous peoples’ self-determination and their attempts to restructure the relationship within Canada. KEY TAKEAWAYS >> Know what Indigenous government or community has jurisdiction over, or interest in, the area where your research takes place. This may include overlapping traditional territories and complex authority and governance structures. >> Form relationships. Understand how the interests and priorities of your proposed research may interact with and serve the interests and priorities of the local Indigenous community. Work together, in partnership. Be aware of your own privileges. >> Be aware of, respect, and follow the requirements of the local Indigenous community. Many Indigenous communities have their own research guidelines, which could include requiring their consent. >> Understand that the priorities and concerns of Indigenous communities and governments may evolve and change over the course of the research. Be flexible and responsive. Watch the film (EN): https://lnkd.in/g8jZZi2d Download the paper (EN): https://lnkd.in/ghhckzVk Download the paper (FR): https://lnkd.in/gKAihxsF #reconciliation #science #documentary #dobetter #storiesmatter #canada #TRC #education

Reconciliation requires all Canadians to come together and establish a new understanding of our shared history and what it means to be Canadian as we move forward. PhD student Lawrence Ignace shares his views on what that can look like. To learn more, visit www.signalfirefilm.ca. #science #Reconciliation #NaturalScience #research #dobetter #Canada #Storiesthatmatter National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation