As a traditional drum begins to vibrate, patterns emerge on a homemade Chladni plate—a flat surface that makes sound waves visible—while curious young learners observe. The demonstration, known as Voice of the Drum, is an example of the hands-on activities offered through Mount Saint Vincent University’s Two-Eyed Seeing program.

The program is rooted in the Mi'kmaw principle of Etuaptmumk, or Two-Eyed Seeing— a concept promoted by Elders Albert and Murdena Marshall and by Dr. Cheryl Bartlett. It refers to the practice of viewing the world with one eye using Indigenous ways of knowing, and with the other eye using Western knowledge. It encourages youth to draw on the strengths of both systems to better understand the world around them.

A STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and math) outreach initiative, the program brings culturally grounded learning experiences to communities across Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi'kmaq (located in the country's eastern maritime region).

Guided by Elders, Knowledge Keepers and educators, the program helps Indigenous youth discover that science comes to life in unexpected ways and can be found not only in textbooks, but in culture, community and lived experience.

The Two-Eyed Seeing program was launched a decade ago by Dr. Shannan Grant and Ann Syliboy (Mi’kmaw) and continued by Dr. Krista Collier-Jarvis (Mi’kmaw) with support from Cheyenne Hardy. It continues to create opportunities for Indigenous youth to explore STEAM in culturally relevant, community-driven ways. Through school workshops, camps and community events, participants investigate topics such as water systems, geology, astronomy and environmental stewardship.

The program is built on a simple idea: participants “learn by doing” with support from diverse Knowledge Keepers, scientists and university students. One example is Mi'kmaw Moons, an initiative that connects lunar cycles, astronomy and storytelling based on the book by the same title authored by Cathy Jean LeBlanc and David Chapman. By exploring the night sky through both scientific observation and Mi'kmaw teachings, youth gain a deeper appreciation for the many ways in which knowledge can be shared and understood.

The program addresses an important challenge: Indigenous people are underrepresented in STEM fields, and many young people do not see their cultures and experiences reflected in conventional science programming. By creating culturally rooted learning opportunities, Two-Eyed Seeing helps foster confidence, curiosity and a sense of belonging.

The impacts extend beyond individual workshops. Curriculum kits, bilingual resources and digital storytelling projects help bring Two-Eyed Seeing into classrooms, libraries and homes, expanding access to STEAM learning and strengthening community connections. For some youth, the impact is profound. In the words of one participant: "Before this camp, I wasn't sure if science was something I could excel at. Now, I know differently."

Support from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) PromoScience program has helped expand the reach of the Two-Eyed Seeing program and strengthen its partnerships with Indigenous communities across Mi'kma'ki. By bringing together Indigenous and Western ways of knowing, the program is helping a new generation of learners see themselves in STEAM fields—and helping STEM become more inclusive, representative and connected to the communities it serves.

Photo : MSVU