b'INTERVIEWBalancingArt andScience Q&A with Bead with UsInstagram artist Amber SandyBY NICKITA LONGMANT hough the pandemic hasA.My job is to create opportunitiesexplained that language, including the slowed down a lot ofthat highlight and uplift Indigenousway we think of translations, is scientific. in-person programmingscience and knowledge. It entails manyWe could see how Anishinaabe people, and community building,different things, but so far, I have workedfrom the very beginning, have looked at Amber Sandy has found unique ways towith communities to run different typesthe world from a scientific lens. Whether keep busy. As an Anishinaabe womanof science programming in hopes toits our creation stories or our traditions, from Neyaashiinigmiing (or Chippewamake science as accessible as possibleit helps us reflect on the way we look at of Nawash First Nation), Sandy spendsto the general public. We have started athe world. We dont look at one specific her days working as the Coordinatornew program called Stoodis Science,thing individually. Instead, we look at of Indigenous Knowledge and Sciencewhich is primarily for Indigenous youthhow all things are affected around it, for Ryerson Universitys SciXchangewho are interested in attending a three- including our own role. program while maintaining an onlineday camp that hosts all sorts of activitiesQ.Tell us about the Bead with Us presence that tends to her artistry onwhile having the opportunity to hear evenings and weekends. You can followInstagram live events.along on her journey over Instagramfrom Indigenous professionals workingA.I started doing Bead with Us live at @ambsandy.in science. events because I had just returned from Q.Tell us about your role as the Coor- Q.What have been some of the high- a beading symposium in Winnipeg the lights in this role?previous year, and it was such a great dinator of Indigenous Knowledge andway of connecting with people. I felt like Science in the SciXchange program.A.Hide tanning! My whole career hasI needed to continue that connection, built up towards being able to do thisso it was a good way of building those kind of work. SciXchange has allowedrelationships. It also allowed people ONTARIO ABORIGINALme to do this, along with my ownto watch and learn with us and share LANDS ASSOCIATION interest and passion in learning aboutdifferent techniques. Working on art in ARIO ABORIGI how to use all parts of an animal respect- my down time has been very meaningful T N A fully. We host an annual Hide Campfor me. I love Indigenous art as much as O N Lfor Science Literacy Week that is gearedI love Indigenous science. Having that LA N towards reclaiming space and high-NDS AS IO balance is important to me. I wanted to SOCIAT lighting Indigenous science in downtown encourage people to organize their own Est. 1995 Toronto. The hands-on workshop allowsbeading circles and run their own live OALA was formed by a small group of Land Managers incommunity members who might notevents. It was neat to see so many more Ontario to support and assist each other to effectivelyhave access to hide spaces to learn andsessions come out of it. manage First Nation Lands.By coming together and relating common interests affecting the day to day workpartake in a tangible way. It has been a of managing First Nation Lands, OALA has been able todream come true to work with so manyQ.What other ways have you seen support and assist fellow Land Managers for 25 years!great people. people turning to the digital world WeareexcitedtoincludeyourFirstNationinourto learn more about Indigenous art dynamic and growing Association! Q.In the past, you have referred toand science? For more information on becoming a member please go to our websitewww.oala-on.ca or please contact: Indigenous people as natural scien- A.The pandemic has created this Ontario Aboriginal Lands Associationtists. Tell us more about that.opportunity where a lot of us are Jessica Pickett, Executive Director9119 West Ipperwash Road, Unit B A.I first heard this when I took ancreating digital content to share with Kettle & Stony Point ON N0N 1J1 Anishinaabemowin class by Helen Roy,a lot of people, and there has been so P: 519-312-9615|ed@oala-on.ca a phenomenal language teacher. Shemuch growth in that area. It is cool to 30l I ssue2 2020/21C hIefs ofo ntarIoA dvocAte magazIne'