living feature
anything; it’s really just a matter of being respectful of the country, the
vegetation and the water.”
The many lessons the river teaches us aren’t always in a textbook or
laboratory study either. KEPA has initiated an annual conference to
share traditional First Nations knowledge along with western scientifi c
principles in order to better share ideas and build greater understanding.
Because they lack funding for water scientists and laboratories on the
reserve, the Kainai people are dependent on the province and other
institutions for scientifi c analysis, but have much to offer from a cultural
and spiritual perspective.
“It’s just a matter of comprehending different points of view,” Mike
says. “This year’s conference focused on Kainai science, how our elders
saw the environment through our eyes historically, and bringing that into
a modern setting to balance that with a western perspective of science.
We are all in this together, so by creating friendships and partnerships,
we’ve started to see people listen to our message and hear our perspective
as Kainai people.”
If we listen to the river, and the people who’ve known it longer than
anyone else, we can surely fi nd the answers to how we might repair the
damage we’ve done and build a more harmonious future.
Before we load the canoe back on the truck, I spend a fi nal moment
gazing at the waters rushing past. I strain to hear one last piece of
knowledge from the river, but it’s Mike who later says it just as plainly as
I need: “You don’t need a scientist to see what’s happening right in front
of your own eyes.”
Farming Smarter Open Farm Day
Aug. 20, 2017 11 am – 4 pm
A day of outdoor family fun with
balloons, crop research, ice cream,
farm machines and hay rides.
Have a BBQ lunch, then take
part in many activities
and win prizes!
I Y SUMMER
AT SAAG
The Southern Alberta Art Gallery has
inspiring camps for creative kids:
Tender Fingers
July 3 to 7 | July 10 to 14 | August 21 to 25
Art in Motion
July 17 to 21
Epic Art Film Camp
July 24 to 28
Register on:
www.farmingsmarter.com
Visit www.saag.ca for more information
Register at 403.327.8770 x 21
S O U T H E R N A L B E R TA A R T G A L L E R Y
601 3 AVE S. LETHBRIDGE, AB | 403.327.8770 | www.saag.ca
LETHBRIDGELIVING.COM
JUL-AUG 2017
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