April 15, 2026
From Classroom to Foothills: Experiential Learning and Traditional Knowledge unfold for U不良研究所 grad students
Away from the classroom and into the open landscape, U不良研究所 graduate students traded theory for lived experience and Traditional Knowledge in the foothills of Pine Creek Valley.
鈥淕oing outside the classroom and engaging with Indigenous community members helped me to think more critically about how our policy choices impact the world and those around us鈥 said Emma Bennett, Master of Public Policy student.
Students from the School of Public Policy took part in a field trip to the Ann and Sandy Cross Conservation Area southwest of 不良研究所 on the traditional territories of the Blackfoot Confederacy.
Surrounded by rolling foothills, grasslands and sweeping views of the Rocky Mountains, the setting offered a powerful backdrop for reflection and discussion. The quiet of the open prairie and the richness of the natural environment deepened the experience with insights on policy and energy development.
Sharing knowledge of the land and the communities connected to it aligns with the University of 不良研究所鈥檚 Indigenous Strategy ii' taa'poh'to'p and our shared commitment to the journey of reconciliation.
The goal is to prepare the next generation of policy and industry leaders to navigate complex economic, environmental and social realities.
The day began with a traditional smudging ceremony; sweetgrass was burnt to cleanse the space and prepare participants to openly learn and engage.
Leon Cranebear of the Siksika Nation shared perspectives on energy policy and governance through an Indigenous community lens. He provided historical context shaping today鈥檚 decisions and the responsibility of industry to respect treaty rights.
Cranebear emphasized that decisions often exist in grey areas where limits and boundaries must be carefully navigated.
Discussions focused on the crossroads of energy development, Indigenous governance and economics, as students were challenged to consider how natural resource decisions are made and the full range of impacts.
In the afternoon session, Sarah Jacknife, an Indigenous entrepreneur shared on behalf of a growing group of business owners, many of whom, she noted, are under 35, women, and operate small businesses. She spoke to the impacts of contact, the importance of rebuilding Indigenous economies, and the role of modern entrepreneurship.
The discussion prompted students to reflect on how government policies can support Indigenous entrepreneurs. Conversations also pointed to the importance of fresh perspectives, shared knowledge and incremental change to shape more inclusive policy.
However, gaps in reliable data on Indigenous communities remain a challenge and the day underscored the need to strengthen collaboration across research programs, knowledge production and partnership to better inform engagement and decision-making.
鈥淗earing directly from Elders and Knowledge Keepers, in place and in conversation, carries a unique level of depth and context鈥 said Alem Cherinet, Senior Manager, Graduate Programs at the School of Public Policy. 鈥淚t pushes our graduate students to think more deliberately about what it really means to work with and across communities and sectors. That kind of grounded understanding is essential for anyone in policy or industry.鈥
