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Meet Diana Cowley - Indigenous Governance Graduate Student

Diana CowleyRecently, the Faculty of Graduate Studies chatted with Diana Cowley, who is enrolled in the Master of Arts in Indigenous Governance Program, to discuss the 2020-21 school year. 

Can you tell us a bit about the graduate program that you are enrolled in and your research interests?

I’d be happy too. The Masters of Arts in Indigenous Governance (MAIG) program is like the “diamond in the rough” that is ethically sourced. MAIG works to privilege Indigenous worldviews, epistemologies and ontologies using a multi-disciplinary design that promotes Indigenous paradigms in different fields of knowledge relating to western academia. MAIG is the pathway that oversteps what is perceived by western academia as legitimate boundaries. MAIG has been the perfect place for my research interests as I will be working with experts in my community, Naotkamegwanning, to learn about Anishinaabe ancestral laws such as Manito Aki Inakonigaawin (sacred earth law) for the protection of their knowledges and how they can be applied in a present-day context relating to sustaining their biocultural heritage.

What has the highlight of the graduate program been for you?

I believe the highlight for me has been the amazing support of such kind and amazingly good and wholesome people who have been great role models and leaders in their field. All the faculty and staff of MAIG, The Department of Indigenous Studies, to the Department of Graduate Studies have made my heart feel so good and warm because I’m around people who truly care and want to see a positive change for our world, one student at a time.

You received the SSHRC Award for the 2020-21 School year. How has this award contributed to your academic success?

To be honest, the academic success is not what matters so much but I am grateful it has contributed in that way. I feel like the success has to do more about who will listen to this research and apply the findings in a real way that both reconciles with the Earth and protects Anishinaabe biocultural heritage. The SSHRC award gave that awareness to that and for that, I am grateful to see where this path goes.

On March 26th, you attended Dr. Deborah McGregor's talk titled: Reconciliation, colonization and Indigenous climate futures. What did you learn at the talk?

Traditional knowledge rejects western science where both knowledges become polarized to each other. How to ethically work with Indigenous knowledges is where the balance needs to take place because the reality is that we as researchers, scholars and scientists operating from western paradigms need to work "with" traditional knowledge so that there can be strategies to navigate both worlds. We must not fear the polarization of Indigenous and western science but instead, seek to understand another's world view and transcend our own because this is where real knowledge comes from. Traditional knowledge can stand on its own and does not need to be integrated into western science. This means Indigenous governance and engaging with Indigenous laws is the level that we should be operating at, not at the current level, which is management or co-management regimes.

What are your plans for the Summer?

I will be doing my field work this summer in my community with some beautiful Anishinaabeg in Naotkamegwanning, Whitefish Bay First Nation in Treaty Three Territory of Northwestern Ontario. I am so excited and cannot wait!

Thank you for taking some time oout f your busy day to share your experience as a grad student!

Thank you to the Department of Graduate Studies for allowing me to say a few words to such an important topic, I really do appreciate it! Peace, love and light.

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