Jessica Kolopenuk (Cree, Peguis First Nation) is an assistant professor at the Faculty of Native Studies at the University of Alberta. Her doctoral project, The Science of Indigeneity: DNA Beyond Ancestry is a study of how, in Canada, genomic knowledge is impacting what it means to be Indigenous in the fields of forensic science, biomedical research, and physical anthropology. She identifies productive spaces where Indigenous peoples might intervene to govern the genomic sciences that affect their bodies, territories, relatives, and peoples. Over the past two years she has been involved with developing the Indigenous Science, Technology, and Society Research and Training Program and Network (Indigenous STS), which aims to support scientific literacy and capacity among Indigenous peoples. Additionally, Jessica is a co-organizer of the Summer internship for INdigenous peoples in Genomics Canada (SING Canada). She is also currently working with the Government of Canada and with the National Geographic Society respectively, to development Indigenous-led and decolonial science policy and bioethics. In 2018, she was awarded the Canadian Science Policy Centre’s Award of Excellence in Science Policy.
Special topics will vary.
Winter Term 2022This course introduces students to the long and complicated relationships between science and technology fields, broader dynamics of colonialism, and increasing demands for Indigenous governance of the sciences and technologies that affect them.
Fall Term 2021 Winter Term 2022Prerequisite: NS 503 or consent of the Faculty.
Winter Term 2022This seminar introduces students to the history of and various theoretical concepts deemed important to the discipline of Indigenous Studies..
Fall Term 2021This course engages students with theoretical concepts seminal to the discipline of Indigenous Studies. Students will gain a thorough understanding of the Indigenous Studies theoretical field and will be able to specifically identify theory relevant to their explicit research project. Through Indigenous theory, students will be able to identify ethical issues in relation to research with Indigenous communities.
Fall Term 2021