Understanding Ethical Space in research: Indigenous Knowledge and science, conflict and creativity

James Rattling Leaf, CIRES Tribal advisor, is offering a series of seminars this spring and summer on “Leadership in Tribal Engagement Learning”. The kickoff event features Gwen Bridge, an advocate for the Ethical Space framework which addresses relationship building between western scientists and indigenous leaders. This talk will provide a foundational understanding of Ethical Space, the roots of conflict between indigenous and non indigenous worldview and science, and describe 4 elements of indigenous agreement-making. Participants will come away with new knowledge of the nature of indigenous science and law and how to advance reconciliation when conducting research. 

This is a hybrid event; feel free to participate virtually. If you attend in person, join us for a reception after the seminar in the CIRES Map Room!

Gwen Bridge is a member of the Saddle Lake Cree Nation in Alberta and is an Indigenous advisor to governments and NGOs on relationships with Indigenous Peoples, reconciliation, Ethical Space, UNDRIP implementation policy development, facilitation and engagement strategy. Indigenous nations call upon Gwen to build strategies and programs for Indigenous rights assertion in Canada and the US. Gwen has provided Ethical Space capacity development to many levels of government including; BC Ministry of Indigenous Relations and Reconciliation, BC Ministry of Forests, BC Ministry of Environment, BC Water Land and Resource Stewardship, Parks Canada, Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Chief of Staff office, Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, City of Nelson, Association of Kootenay Boundary Local Governments, District of Mission, US National Parks Service, NASA, and many others. Gwen was invited as an Indigenous biodiversity expert at the February 2024 meeting between Canada’s Chief Science Advisors Office and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy in Denver, CO, facilitated by Global Affairs Canada on how to consider Indigenous knowledge in biodiversity related policy and science. Gwen has a Master of Science from the University of Alberta in Renewable Resources, and teaches courses in Ethical Space and Indigenous Leadership at University nuhelot’ine thaiyots’i nistameyimâkanak Blue Quills and is an Adjunct Professor in the Faculty of Forestry at the University of British Columbia. Gwen is chair of the Ecological Society of America Traditional Ecological Knowledge section.