Shownotes
The coffee and keynote by Simon the Scientist titled “Weaving Indigenous Connections in Science: A Youth Perspective” was presented May 4th, 2024. (Watch it on Inspiration Corner, on Let’s Talk Science’s Learning Pathways).
Another Cup of Coffee and Keynote is hosted and recorded on Treaty 4 territory, Regina and Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan, the traditional territory of the lands of the nêhiyawak (Cree), Anishinabek/Saulteaux, Dakota, Nakota, Lakota, and is on the homeland of the Métis Nation.
Our guest, Simon Monteith, is from Opaskwayak Cree Nation and joined us from Winnipeg, Treaty 1 territory, the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabeg, Anishininewuk, Dakota Oyate, Denesuline and Nehethowuk Nations, is located on the Homeland of the Red River Métis, and northern Manitoba includes lands that were and are the ancestral lands of the Inuit.
The music is by Daddy_s_music from pixabay.
Coffee and a Keynote Session Description
- Join Simon as he showcases some of his favourite scientific approaches while exploring the connections between his Cree culture and science. During this interactive session, you will have the opportunity to ask questions and discover more about how to incorporate Indigenous worldviews into the classroom. Simon’s unique perspective and infectious personality enable him to discuss complex concepts in a way that kids can understand while weaving in Indigenous culture connections so that everyone can see themselves and they can see the possibilities.
Educator outcomes:
- Explore how to combine Indigenous worldviews with your science teaching.
- Discover how kids teach kids and what ignites their curiosity.
- Meet an award-winning entrepreneur with ambitions to inspire youth across Turtle Island and beyond.
About the Speaker:
- I am Soaring Thunderbird Boy. I am also Simon the Scientist and I am obsessed with Science. I am Cree from Opaskwayak Cree Nation and I live in Winnipeg.
- I started Simon the Scientist in 2020 when the Covid-19 pandemic hit the world. Over the past few years, I have created over 60 Science sessions on Facebook for kids around the world to watch and participate in real time. I want kids around the world to be able to learn Science. I think that learning from another kid makes it easier to understand and more fun. Oh, I started this when I was 7 years old. Now I am 11 years old.
- I have been getting a lot of attention for this. I won a grant from Manitoba Possible which I used to get 20 of my sessions translated into American Sign Language. I won the national Rick Hansen Difference Maker of the Year award for 2021. I made it to the semi-finals of the Powwow Pitch last summer. I was also recognized by the Manitoba Parliament in November, 2023. I was in the news all over Canada too! Just google me!
- I want to keep progressing Simon the Scientist so that I can reach more kids all over the world, and make Science fun. I want to sponsor the ideas that other kids have by sending them materials to explore Science or Science packages from other organizations. I want to make sure that everything I explore includes Indigenous perspective. I am concerned about making my videos good for everybody. My sister is hard-of-hearing and has a lot of medical needs. She also has cognitive delays. She loves Science too and we have some fun together. You can see the story about our family here: https://www.manitobapossible.ca/stories/supporting-a-family-building-a-community
- This school year I am working with Frontier School Division doing monthly STEM sessions for classrooms all over the province. Sometimes we have 400-500 students in a session!
Episode Highlights (and Timestamps)
- Introduction (0:00:00 - 0:07:54)
- Interview (0:07:54 - 1:18:27)
- Closing thoughts (1:18:27 - 1:23:20)
Resources
Follow and Article Suggestions:
Resources from the presenter:
Host Websites
