Picture provided by: Virtual Indigenous Speaker Series: Thompson Rivers University
Jennifer Wemigwans, Doctor of Philosophy in Social Justice Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education at the University of Toronto, is a prominent scholar whose work centers on Indigenous knowledge and digital technologies. Her research explores how Indigenous teachings can be shared and preserved through online platforms. However, while she also believes that aspects of Indigenous knowledge online can serve as an introduction to some basic understanding and conceptualization of Indigenous knowledge, she stresses that such knowledge cannot replace the authentic transfer of deep Indigenous knowledge that occurs through Indigenous ceremonies and oral teachings that are transmitted person to person, or the connections that are made from being and learning on the land (Wemigwans, 2016, p. 4).
I chose to highlight Dr. Wemigwan’s because her philosophy aligns with my role as Aboriginal Education Coordinator at Seabird Island Band. In her thesis,
Wemigwans addresses critical issues of digital sovereignty, Indigenous cultural preservation, and the empowerment of Indigenous communities through technology. Her work emphasizes the potential for digital platforms to serve as tools for cultural transfer and the significance of integrating traditional knowledge with modern technology. This is essential in achieving my goal of creating educational spaces that honour and integrate Indigenous knowledge systems while utilizing technological innovations.
A key aspect of Dr. Jennifer Wemigwans’ thesis is the concept of a “digital bundle,” which parallels traditional Indigenous knowledge bundles. Wemigwans explains how online platforms like FourDirectionsTeachings.com pass down Indigenous knowledge in a manner aligned with cultural protocols while also utilizing digital technology.
Wemigwans emphasizes that the digital bundle is not an archive of information but a living entity, evolving as users utilize it. She argues that this digital format preserves the integrity and sacredness of traditional knowledge by situating it within Indigenous worldviews rather than mainstream technological frameworks. By integrating the digital bundle into Indigenous knowledge systems, she emphasizes its potential to connect traditional teachings with modern technology while honouring cultural protocols.
References
Wemigwans, J. (2016). A Digital Bundle: Exploring the Impact of Indigenous Knowledge Online Through FourDirectionsTeachings.com (Doctoral thesis, University of Toronto).
Dr. Jennifer Wemigwans Resources
Professor Wemigwans Appointed as the New Director of Indigenous Digital Practice
Four Directions Teachings
https://www.fourdirectionsteachings.com/
Digital Bundles: Creating Cultural Spaces for Indigenous Knowledge through New Technologies
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