Scientific researcher Morgan Vague discovered plastic-eating bacteria, a potential solution to the global plastic pollution problem. Despite being told in school she wasn't "smart enough" for math

Scientific researcher Morgan Vague discovered plastic-eating bacteria, a potential solution to the global plastic pollution problem. Despite being told in school she wasn't "smart enough" for math and science, Morgan pursued her passion.

After high school, she enrolled at Houston Community College, completing remedial math and basic science courses. Accepted to Reed College, a microbiology course ignited her passion for science. Graduating in 2018 with a Biology degree, she is now a research assistant at Reed, focusing on bacterial biodegradation to combat plastic pollution.

This talk was given at a TEDx event. Learn more at ted.com/tedx.

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, and Dr. Blair Stonechild, moderated by Shaunna Morgan Siegers, MSc, engaged in a dialogue about our essential and spiritual connection

Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, and Dr. Blair Stonechild, moderated by Shaunna Morgan Siegers, MSc, engaged in a dialogue about our essential and spiritual connection with the land and each other. They were joined by Reconciling Ways of Knowing Convenors Miles Richardson, OC, Dr. David Suzuki, and Dr. Nancy Turner.

This dialogue originally aired on Tuesday, January 26 at 9:00 am Pacific / 11:00 am Central / 1:00 pm Atlantic.

Dialogue 7 of "Reconciling Ways of Knowing," titled "Connecting Spiritually with the Land and Each Other," featured Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, and Dr. Blair

Dialogue 7 of "Reconciling Ways of Knowing," titled "Connecting Spiritually with the Land and Each Other," featured Elder Dr. Dave Courchene, Grandmother Katherine Whitecloud, and Dr. Blair Stonechild, moderated by Shaunna Morgan Siegers, MSc. They discussed the essential spiritual connection between people and the land, a foundational Indigenous understanding often absent from dominant worldviews influencing Canadian environmental policy.

This session explored the fundamental connection to the world and each other, emphasizing its spiritual dimension for Indigenous Peoples, maintained through ceremonies. Convenors Miles Richardson, OC, Dr. David Suzuki, and Dr. Nancy Turner later shared insights, followed by audience Q&A. The dialogue originally aired on Tuesday, January 26.