Tracy Bear on the Importance of Indigenous Knowledge

Professor Tracy Bear is a well-known researcher focusing on Indigenous knowledge, resilience and embedding research in true partnerships with communities. In 2021, she was appointed director of the McMaster Indigenous Research Institute.

Hundreds of thousands of Canadians got to know Professor Bear through her role as academic lead of “Indigenous Canada”—a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) designed to help Canadians understand the history of Indigenous Peoples. Since its inception in 2016, the course has grown from twenty thousand to more than four hundred and sixty thousand learners and has been named the most popular online course in Canada.

In this conversation, Tracy talks about how Canadians need to face the uncomfortable truths of the relationship between Canada and Indigenous Peoples. Canadians also need to understand that the impacts of these uncomfortable truths continue to impact Indigenous families and communities to this day. Tracy is optimistic that a greater understanding of Indigenous ways of knowing will help Canada move forward and enrich the lives of Canadians.

Disclaimer: If you’re someone affected by residential schools and you need help, the number for the National Indian Residential School Crisis Line is 1-866-925-4419.

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