Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference 2026

The University of Waterloo will host the Turtle Island Indigenous Science Conference from Sunday, May 24, to Tuesday, May 26, at venues across its Waterloo, Ontario, campus. The three-day event is billed by the university as a gathering of academics, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, students and community organizations to share research, stories and practices grounded in Indigenous science. Conference materials say the program will focus on how Indigenous science connects with fields including ecology, health, technology and sustainability. The university has published the schedule, speaker information and registration details on its conference site and in the Daily Bulletin. ### When and where is the conference taking place? May 24 to May 26 are the listed conference dates on the University of Waterloo’s event pages, with programming spread over three days on campus in Waterloo, Ontario. The Faculty of Science events listing describes the conference as an all-day event running from Sunday through Tuesday. The Daily Bulletin also lists the conference in its campus notices for that period. (uwaterloo.ca) Day 1 begins Sunday with doors opening at 12:00 p.m. and the formal program starting at 1:00 p.m., according to the conference schedule. Monday’s program starts at 9:00 a.m. and includes a poster session beginning at 9:10 a.m. and a vendor market running from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Tuesday’s sessions also start at 9:00 a.m., with the conference scheduled to close at 4:00 p.m. (uwaterloo.ca) ### Who is the conference meant to bring together? The University of Waterloo says the conference is intended to bring together academics, Indigenous Knowledge Keepers, students and community organizations. The event description says participants will share research, stories and practices grounded in Indigenous science. Waterloo’s Faculty of Science materials frame the gathering as a place for learning across different knowledge systems. (uwaterloo.ca) Four program pillars are listed on the conference schedule: Indigenous Futures; Knowledge Sovereignty and Research Ethics; Climate, Land, and Water; and Revitalizing Traditional Knowledge Systems. The university says those themes are meant to structure dialogue across the conference’s panels, workshops and presentations. ### Who is speaking? Janna Wale is listed as the conference keynote speaker on the university’s keynote and plenaries page. (uwaterloo.ca) Waterloo describes Wale as a Gitxsan, from Gitanmaax First Nation, and Cree-Métis climate research leader, policy advisor and speaker whose work sits at the intersection of Indigenous leadership, climate science and public policy. The Day 1 schedule places her keynote at 3:40 p.m. on Sunday, May 24. (uwaterloo.ca) Peter Schuler of the Mississaugas of the Credit is identified in the May 15 Daily Bulletin as delivering an Indigenous welcome and reflections tied to the conference themes of justice, sustainability and interconnectedness. The bulletin says Schuler connected personal experience and Indigenous teachings to relationships with the land and living world. ### What will happen during the three days? Sunday’s agenda includes opening programming, concurrent sessions and the keynote, according to the posted Day 1 schedule. (uwaterloo.ca) The same page lists speakers including Nicholas Reo, Natahnee Winder, Kamelamela and Arzu Sardarli, followed by closing remarks and an optional evening social. Monday’s schedule highlights a poster session and vendor market alongside the main conference programming. (uwaterloo.ca) Tuesday’s agenda closes out the event by 4:00 p.m., according to the at-a-glance schedule. Waterloo’s conference pages describe the overall format as a mix of research sharing, storytelling and practice-based exchange. ### How can people find the details? The University of Waterloo has posted the conference homepage, full schedule, keynote information and registration details on dedicated event pages. (uwaterloo.ca) Registration includes access to conference programming and activities, daily lunches and coffee breaks, according to the registration page. The listed prices include an early-bird full registration at C$250 and a full registration at C$350, with other registration categories also available. (uwaterloo.ca) Tuesday, May 26, is the scheduled closing date for the conference, and the university’s website says the event will end at 4:00 p.m. that day. The latest speaker lineup, day-by-day agenda and registration information remain available through the University of Waterloo conference pages and Daily Bulletin listings. (uwaterloo.ca) (uwaterloo.ca)