Darrion Letendre

InSTEM & Land-Based Learning Coordinator, NorQuest College

Tân’si! Darrion Letendre is Nehiyaw-Metis from both Kelly Lake Cree Nation and Horse Lake First Nation, Treaty No. 8 Territory. Growing up in my community of Kelly Lake, I had the privilege of practicing and living a way of life that most people do not, one that was land-based, and which nurtured a sense of belief and understanding that the land, water, and our non-human relations, have an integral part to play in our education and collective intelligence. In my primary role at Norquest College, I develop culturally relevant and meaningful STEM programming for Indigenous youth in K-12, in partnership with Actua Canada, as well as actualizing land-based learning, in all its forms, within the college. Some of the projects and initiatives I have also worked on at Norquest include co-chairing the program/planning committee for the upcoming 2023 Open Education Global Conference, sharing knowledge about sustainability and Indigenous ways of knowing for a proposed green space/living lab, as well as advising and sharing knowledge within the Anti-Racism Committee. Having the ability to “walk in both worlds,” and utilizing two-eyed seeing, has been instrumental in how I approach knowledge sharing and collaboration in good ways, and it is this strength that I hope to share with you.