Inuit culture-based biology degree

The new SILA biology bachelor program at Ilisimatusarfik (the University of Greenland) is a new take on how biology should be taught and interpreted. It is a bachelor’s degree that integrates Greenlandic Inuit knowledge to the curriculum, and the education material is focused specifically to Arctic life and its surroundings. Multiple knowledge systems are introduced within the curriculum creating a more inclusive understanding of nature. Educators are not limited to people from an academic background, but include fishermen, hunters, the industry and cultural knowledge holders who see biology and climate change from different points of views. This setup seeks to equip the students to tackle the gap there currently is between scientists, hunters, fishermen and in the Kalaallit (Greenlandic) society. The understanding and caring for Arctic biodiversity are taught to students who are part of the Arctic biodiversity themselves and can reflect their daily lives to each subject. The mindset of being part of the ecosystem is important to underline, because it is such a big part of Indigenous and Inuit culture. We are part of nature, and our lives affect how the ecosystem thrives. The students coming from various parts of Kalaallit Nunaat (Greenland) diversifies their own knowledge shared in the classroom. A student from Avanersuaq (Northwestern Greenland) who grew up with family members catching narwhals using qajaqs have a different perspective of nature to a student who grew up in Kujataa (South Greenland) who grew up in a sheep farm. The inclusion of situated and place-based knowledge is something which is focused on, because it fosters diversity of knowledge. The students are beside biology introduced to innovation and must frequently showcase how you can sustainably utilize nature’s resources. These assignments activate the students’ creative side of the brain as well as integrate the Inuit values of utilising everything nature offers us. We at the SILA department hope the SILA biology students will be leading examples of transformation within Arctic science in Kalaallit Nunaat.