Discussion Panel
Hear the stories of these well respected educators! Elder Kathy Wahpepah Eashappie is an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska (or as we call ourselves Ho-Chunk), a descendant of the Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma and community member of Cegakin (the Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation) in Treaty 4. Elder Kathy is involved in many education & research initiatives from early learners to adults as well as their educators & administrators to decolonize and revitalize spaces where children & adults learn & play. Stephanie House has been a teacher at Oskayak High School for 13 years. I work closely with Elders and try to incorporate as much Indigenous knowledge as possible into my science classes. Elders help me guide the student learning and empower our young people in a good way. I received my B.Sc. in Biology from the U of S in 2002, took a few years off to teach overseas before returning to complete my B.Ed. I have taken CLS workshops and participated in student programs. Students do particularly well in LiSSE. Dr. Vincent Ziffle (he/him) is an Associate Prof of Chemistry at First Nations University of Canada (FNU), in Regina, SK since 2010. His research include Traditional Knowledge & Indigenous Science, Medicinal Plants of the Boreal Shield & Central Plains, organic chem of plants, Indigenous Fine Art technologies, & food chem. He developed CHEM 101: Chemistry of Food & Cooking: food chem + plant medicine + Indigenous Food Traditions = unique labs learning from TKKs about Indigenous Food pathways, sovereignty, & sustainability. He promotes STEAM - “A” for arts, design, & Indigenous Culture - via Let’s Talk Science & FNU’s Indigenous Outreach team. Rockford McKay is a member of the Berens River First Nation. He & his wife have 3 daughters & are grandparents. He grew up in Winnipeg receiving his B.Sc. & Education degrees at the U of M. He started in industry as a chemist, and now in science education for over 30 years. He has worked with all First Nation communities in MB, as well as inner city youth. He works with all Winnipeg SDs; teaches at Children of the Earth High School; science coach with MFNSS, School Trustee with St. James - Assiniboia SD, an author of Pearson Gr 7 Science textbook, & part of the new MB Sci Curr team.
