Saskatoon Public Schools Foundation Indigenous Science Course at Nutana Collegiate - Power Up Project
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Indigenous Science Course at Nutana Collegiate – Power Up Project

The Power Up Project at Nutana Collegiate integrates Indigenous Studies and Environmental Science to help students receive two credits from one class.

“I will graduate with the credits I needed from this class… I actually have been wanting to come to class.”

Nutana Collegiate Student

Nicole Reed and Tina Rioux combined the Environmental Science 20 and Indigenous Studies 30 curricula to help their students receive credits required to graduate. The teachers were able to assess multiple outcomes from each assessment. This decreased the number of projects and assignments the students needed to complete and the number of classes the students needed to take, while increasing credits and, for many students who were previously non-attenders, attendance.

“Overall, we were able to create many interesting projects and opportunities around our goal of connecting to
representation and reconciliation. Students have grown in their capacity to see themselves as scientists and changemakers. Retainment of students was our goal and we were successful in ensuring that our content and learning environment would help empower our marginalized students.”

Nutana Collegiate Indigenous Science Teacher

Nutana students in the integrated Indigenous Science course participated in the following learning experiences:

Soil Science

An expert in soil science visited the class to teach students about land management practices. The students learned that current practices are integrating Indigenous knowledge and also how to use the land. Students also learned about the Three Sisters teachings; growing and harvesting food is good for our bodies and the land.

Students at Nutana collegiate learning about soil science
Students learning about soil science


Traditional Feast

To learn about ceremonial practices, the students held a feast and invited Elders.


Land and Biodiversity Presentation

A wildland forest fighter spoke to the students about how colonial ways of land management meant preventing all fires and that there are safer options including controlled burns. This mandate has led to more management issues in northern communities. Students also learned that controlled burns are implemented to reclaim land as well as avoid the destruction of nearby communities. Finally, the presenter demonstrated how collaborating with Indigenous nations in these areas is a meaningful and necessary form of reconciliation that benefits everyone.

three wildland forest fighters standing in front of a helicopter
a photo out the windshield of a car showing a road near a forest fire that is so smoky the whole scene appears red.
A photo from the wildland forest fighter of a smoky road that looks red because of a nearby fire.

First Nations Power Authority

The final project of the integrated science class regarded what students learned from the First Nations Power Authority (FNPA). Students learned about the role energy can play within self-management opportunities. Reserves are even able to produce excess energy that they can sell back to the major grid. This leads to reserves not only becoming self-sustaining in terms of energy production, but also economically profitable. Guest presenters from the FNPA taught students about sustainable energy use. Through the information presented to them by the FNPA, students were made aware of different careers available to them on reserves or at the FNPA itself.

Representatives from the FNPA were invited to present to the Nutana Indigenous Science class.

Beading Medallions

Students decorated medallions to spread awareness of the Stolen Sisters epidemic.

beaded medallions made by the Nutana Indigenous Science students
Beaded medallions made to spread awareness of the Stolen Sisters epidemic.

Read more about Stolen Sisters from CBC news.


Canadian Light Source Field Trip

Students explored the Canadian Light Source and learned about the synchrotron. Staff from the Canadian Light Source also visited the class to explain how they are working to legitimize Indigenous ways of knowing as a complement to western scientific practices.

The Canadian Light Source presenting in a Nutana collegiate classroom.

Water Testing

As part of a Water on Reserves unit, students examined historical and contemporary concerns surrounding the availability of clean water on reserves. They used a water testing kit to learn about safe water parameters. Officers from the Water Security Agency were invited to present. Lastly, they shared water treatment issues they have come across throughout the province with the students.

Students learning about water safety with a testing kit.
Nutana students conducting an experiment to learn about safe water parameters.

“I would recommend this class to anyone. The class was chill but we learned a lot about science and the importance of Indigenous aspects that I didn’t know about before.”

Nutana Collegiate Indigenous Science Student
Students in the Nutana Indigenous Science course learning about and decorating cradle boards.

“It was easier to keep up with the work and class doesn’t feel as rushed even though we are doing two credits.”

Nutana Collegiate Indigenous Science Student

Nutana Collegiate’s Indigenous Science course was given $5,000 through SPSF Power Up Projects.