Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference 2026

The University of Waterloo opened the Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference on Sunday, May 24, on its Waterloo, Ontario, campus, starting a three-day program centered on Indigenous knowledge systems, research practices and partnerships. University event pages describe the gathering as bringing together academics, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, students and community organizations to share research, stories and practices grounded in Indigenous science. The conference runs through Tuesday, May 26, and is hosted by Waterloo’s Faculty of Science. ### Who is taking part in the conference? The University of Waterloo says the conference is designed for academics, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, students and community organizations. A university events listing says the program is focused on how Indigenous science engages with fields including ecology, health, technology and sustainability. The Faculty of Science is hosting the event, according to Waterloo’s conference site and science events page. (uwaterloo.ca) The university’s Daily Bulletin said the conference includes several plenary sessions over three days as well as a poster display. ### What is on the schedule from May 24 to May 26? Sunday’s program begins with doors opening at 12:00 p.m. and the conference starting at 1:00 p.m., according to the conference schedule. (uwaterloo.ca) The same schedule lists a keynote at 3:40 p.m. on the opening day. Monday’s schedule starts at 9:00 a.m., with a poster session at 9:10 a.m. and a vendor market running from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., the conference website says. (uwaterloo.ca) Tuesday’s program also starts at 9:00 a.m. and is scheduled to close at 4:00 p.m. ### What themes is the conference organized around? The conference schedule says programming is built around four pillars of what it calls Indigenous Innovation. (uwaterloo.ca) Those pillars are Indigenous Futures, Knowledge Sovereignty and Research Ethics, Climate, Land, and Water, and Revitalizing Traditional Knowledge Systems. A University of Waterloo news item said the conference is intended to explore Indigenous science as both a knowledge system and a set of research practices. (uwaterloo.ca) That item said the event examines how Indigenous science can shape work across multiple disciplines. ### Who is the keynote speaker? Janna Wale is the keynote speaker, according to the University of Waterloo Daily Bulletin entry published on Friday, May 22. (uwaterloo.ca) The bulletin described Wale as a climate research leader, policy advisor and speaker. The conference schedule lists the keynote for 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 24. Waterloo’s event pages do not, in the excerpts available, provide additional details on the keynote topic. (uwaterloo.ca) ### Where can people find registration and event details? The University of Waterloo conference site says registration is open and directs visitors to event information online. The science events page and the conference homepage both link readers to learn more and register. (uwaterloo.ca) Tuesday, May 26, is the final day of the conference, and the posted schedule says the event closes at 4:00 p.m. The university’s website carries the full conference schedule, speaker and participant profiles, and registration information for the remaining sessions. (uwaterloo.ca) (uwaterloo.ca)