Sharing traditional sciences at Confederation College

Traditional sciences were on display at Thunder Bay’s Confederation College during the Let’s Talk Science outreach program’s fourth annual Aboriginal Science Fair.
The science fair, held on April 12, showcased projects, solutions and innovations with direct Aboriginal content. Students from across the region in grades 8 to 12 were at the college to showcase their Aboriginal-themed science fair displays at the event.
Sandra Stiles, organizer with Let’s Talk Science, said that “the premise of the displays is to have Aboriginal students showcasing the science behind traditional knowledge and to reflect on their traditional culture.”
“There’s so many unique and interesting displays here today,” she said.
Projects showcased during the fair included the impacts of water on the land, the medicine wheel, sacred ceremonies and traditional weapons and tools.
Gregory Pelletier, a student at Crolancia in Pickle Lake, did a presentation on First Nations weapons.
“I find weapons pretty interesting,” Pelletier said.
Through his research for his project he said he learned that sinew was used as bowstrings and that shale or bone was used for knifes.
“I liked talking to people and sharing information about my project,” he said about spending the day at the science fair. “I liked learning about other peoples project like the arrowheads and how the size and shape affects the length and accuracy of the shot.”
Leonard Wavy, another student from Crolancia in Pickle Lake, did a presentation on dream catchers.
“They are pretty interesting, how they can get rid of bad dreams,” Wavy said. “I worked on my presentation for two weeks and learned all about how they work and how they function and the history behind them.”
Nathan Jousmaki, program coordinator with Let’s Talk Science, said the goal of the event is to raise awareness and promote the traditional sciences.
“Society has strayed away from traditional knowledge,” Jousmaki said. “Sharing that knowledge and a sense of community by having the older students mentoring the younger students is what we like most from the event.”
Let’s Talk Science is a national outreach organization committed to community and school outreach by postsecondary students and professional volunteers.
At the end of the day judges were on hand to award some of the most notable presentations.
Awards were presented to Cassandra Jolicoeur from Dryden High School for Best Use of Research; Alissa Van Wynen from Dryden High School for Best Oral Presentation and Best Interactive; Kayla Kakepetum from Dennis Franklin Cromarty High School for Best Visual Display and Use of Primary Research; Preston Greer from Schreiber High School for Best Example of Experimental Method; and Dabney Bouchard from Schreiber High School for Best Young Scientist.