Chapter 13 Ecological Principles • MHR 457Biology At Work
Ecological Policy Maker
“Aboriginal wisdom teaches that all species should be
protected, and all species interrelate,” says Dr. Deborah
McGregor, Head of Aboriginal Policy and Intergovernmental
Co-ordination for Environment Canada, Ontario Region.
Similarly, Dr. McGregor stresses that society should
safeguard all natural habitats, not merely those deemed
environmentally sensitive. “You have to protect the whole
system,” she says. “It’s not enough to just create a park.”
“Certain responsibilities come with being in Creation,” she
adds. “One key principle is that everything has life, while
another is the ethics of non-interference. For example, we
shouldn’t interfere with water and prevent it from carrying
out its responsibilities by polluting it. If we do, we create
imbalances. The water can no longer quench our thirst.”
A member of the Whitefish First Nation on Manitoulin
Island, Dr. McGregor believes that Aboriginal wisdom is
spiritually derived — it comes from the Creator.
According to Dr. McGregor, all Aboriginal people are
scientists in the sense that they have ecological wisdom
passed down to them by their elders. “Aboriginal science
is different from traditional western (non-Aboriginal)
science,” she says. “It’s important for western-trained
scientists to work with Aboriginal people — to consider
more bases of knowledge.” Dr. McGregor provides advice
to staff at Environment Canada on how to interact with
Aboriginal communities. “Visitors shouldn’t just come witha predetermined agenda, a clipboard, and tape recorder,”
she says. “The way to really learn is to build relationships.”
Among traditional western professions, Aboriginal people
have tended to enter teaching, law, social work, and
health sciences. Dr. McGregor and her Environment
Canada colleagues try to encourage more Aboriginal
people to go into ecology and other natural resource
fields. Dr. McGregor has a master’s degree in
environmental studies from York University, and a
doctorate in forestry from the University of Toronto.
She stresses, however, that academic achievement
goes only so far in preparing a person for a career.
“Community service is important too,” she says. “You
have to prove that you can deliver at the community
level — that you’re not just book learning and talk.”Career Tips
1.What community services could you perform to help
prepare yourself for a career that interests you? Make
a list.
2.“Traditional western science doesn’t have a
monopoly on truth,” says Dr. McGregor. In 1997,
she was among Aboriginal scientists featured in an
Ontario Science Centre exhibit called Question of
Truth. Use the Internet and/or other resources to
learn more about Aboriginal scientists. Choose one
scientist and write a report about his or her work.Manitoulin Island