Professional Certificate in Indigenous Environmental Perspectives
Published on June 21, 2025
About this Podcast
HOST: Welcome to our podcast, today we're joined by Dr. Robin Waterman, an expert in Indigenous environmental perspectives and lead instructor for the Professional Certificate in Indigenous Environmental Perspectives. Dr. Waterman, it's great to have you here. GUEST: Thank you for having me, I'm excited to be here! HOST: To start, could you share a bit about your personal experiences and insights related to this course topic? GUEST: Absolutely, I've spent over two decades working with Indigenous communities, learning about their knowledge systems and how they contribute to environmental stewardship. It's been a rewarding and enlightening journey. HOST: That's fascinating! Now, what current industry trends are most relevant to the course? GUEST: There's a growing recognition of the importance of traditional ecological knowledge in addressing global environmental challenges, such as climate change and biodiversity loss. Our course emphasizes cross-cultural understanding and collaboration in this context. HOST: I see, and what challenges have you faced in the field or while teaching this subject? GUEST: One major challenge is dispelling misconceptions about Indigenous knowledge systems and demonstrating their equal value alongside Western scientific approaches. It's crucial to foster respect and understanding between different knowledge systems. HOST: That's a significant challenge, indeed. Now, could you share your thoughts on the future of this area or industry? GUEST: I'm optimistic about the future, as I see more organizations and educational institutions embracing Indigenous perspectives and knowledge. I believe that by working together, we can create a more sustainable and just relationship with our environment. HOST: Dr. Waterman, thank you so much for your insights and for sharing your experiences with us today. We're excited to learn more about the Professional Certificate in Indigenous Environmental Perspectives and how it can contribute to meaningful environmental action. GUEST: My pleasure, thank you for having me!