This past Spring, YSPOR First Nations Community Research Coordinator, Jamie Thomas, and Research Assistant, Piper Fordham, presented at the 2024 Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference in Regina, Saskatchewan. This year, all attendees came together to honour ancestral knowledge while shaping a brighter future. Jamie and Piper’s presentations were titled, ‘Reclaiming and Promoting our Traditional Knowledge: How a Group in the Yukon Works to Revitalize Traditional Indigenous Plant Medicine Knowledge’ and ‘Supporting Access to Care: Impact of Cultural Services Provided at Dawson City Community Hospital on the Health and Well Being of Indigenous People Living in Dawson’, respectively.
Jamie presented at the University of Regina campus following the opening prayer and ceremony at the First Nations University of Canada. Piper presented at the Treaty Four Governance Centre in Fort Qu’ Appelle, Saskatchewan.
Jamie shared the work of the Traditional Plant Medicine Working Group, Gu Nähtsey, discussing the groups’ goal to reclaim and promote the intergenerational sharing of medicinal plants and traditions to promote the health of their community, Dawson City, Yukon. Additionally, she shared Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in history, values and beliefs.
Piper discussed the research project that has been co-created with the community of Dawson City that investigates what services could be provided to the Indigenous community of Dawson at the Dawson City Community Hospital to rebuild and reshape the relationship between Indigenous people and the health care system.
Attending the Turtle Island Indigenous Science conference was an incredible opportunity for Piper and Jamie to connect with other Indigenous scholars, explore cutting-edge research, and participate in workshops and ceremony. They both hope to return for future conferences!
Article written by Jamie Thomas