b'AN INTERVIEW WITHDr. Lana RayCan you tell me about yourself? The framework is based on Indigenous I am from Opwaaganasiniing (Red Rockteachings, stories and personal experience Indian Band) and a member of the mus- with land-based activities.kellunge clan. I have a PhD in IndigenousDoes teaching and research differ in Studies and I am an Assistant Professor inIndigenous contexts?the Department of Indigenous Learning atI think so. I try to privilege Indigenous ways Lakehead University. of knowing. This can be more specific like What is Indigenous Learning? storytelling and land-based experiential Indigenous Learning is a recognizedlearning. For example, in much of my re-discipline which engages with Indigenoussearch I dont draw from western theories knowledges and ways of knowing tobut instead I look to our own theories - our address issues in Indigenous and non-In- stories. I also bring these stories into the digenous contexts. It also focuses on theclassroom because they help us to envision historical and contemporary interactionsalternatives to western approaches to child between Indigenous peoples and the state. welfare, justice or environmental policy.What do you do as an Assistant I think we can also think of IndigenousWhen we work together and support each Professor? ways of knowing more broadly, includingother, there is so much power in that. Most of my time is spent teaching andvalues such as respect, sharing and coop- Is the program popular amongstresearching. I have taught courses relatederation which foster good relationships.Indigenous women?to community development, governance,In the classroom I try to create a spaceYes, most of the Indigenous Learning gender relations, Indigenous storytellingwhere we learn from and support onemajors are Indigenous women. Taking the and research methods. Currently I lead twoanother and enact these values. Colonial- program is a stop along their journey to research projects. One seeks to improveism worked to decentre these values fromstrengthen their families, communities Indigenous health equity through the de- our communities which results in lateral velopment of health service provider train- violence. This feeds a colonial agenda andand nations. Indigenous women in the ing and systems level change. In the otherredirects our time and energy away fromprogram want to become policy analysts, project an Indigenous health frameworkefforts to rebuild our governance systemsresearchers, lawyers, educators and share was created to support program develop- and social institutions and relearn ourwhat they learn in the program with their ment, implementation and evaluation.languages, cultures and traditions.families and communities.LAKEHEAD UNIVERSITYINSPIRINGINDIGENOUS SCHOLARSWelcoming you to experience our:Indigenous Learning Degree Program Indigenous Language Teacher Diploma Native Access Program ProgramNative Nurses Entry Program Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of EducationHonours Bachelor of Education(Indigenous Learning) Intermediate/Senior(Aboriginal) Primary/Juniorhttp://lakeheadu.ca/indigenous1-888-558-33881-807-766-7219'