Amy Farrell

• 2014 – PhD, Lakehead University
• 2008 – MEd, Lakehead University
• 2004 – BEd, Lakehead University
• 2003 – HBA, Lakehead University

Dr. Amy Farrell is Ojibwe and grew up in Thunder Bay, Ont. Her mother is from Whitewater Lake First Nation, and she is a member of Eabametoong First Nation. Her father is of Irish, English and Scottish descent. She joined the Department of Curriculum, Teaching and Learning in the Faculty of Education in January 2019.  She teaches Indigenous Education courses within the Department. Her dissertation “Memengwaawid, To Be A Butterfly: An Indigenous Exploration of Northwestern Ontario Anishinawbe and Muskego or Ininiw Sacred Stories and Teachings in a Contemporary Novel” is both a creative and critical work that explores various cultural and sacred story teachings within a creative work, and which employs both Indigenous methodology and methodological approaches.

Farrell’s research interests include: the exploration and application of Indigenous knowledge, culture, and sacred story into various concepts within Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education; the exploration of Indigenous sacred story teachings and storytelling methods into creative narrative works; and, the practical application of Indigenous knowledge, spirituality, and culture into mainstream curricula and teaching practices.

Previous to working at the University of Manitoba, she worked as an Indigenous Curriculum Specialist at Lakehead University in which she supported faculty across the university to include Indigenous knowledge within their own curricula and general knowledge. She was a sessional instructor for 10 years at Lakehead University within the Department of Indigenous Learning and also the Faculty of Education. She was a secondary teacher and an Indigenous support staff in both semi-private and public-school systems. She has also spent many years coordinating and participating in various community committees typically held for Indigenous youth and community.

• Indigenous education
  • Indigenous sacred story, storytelling, and narrative
  • Indigenizing STEAM
  • Indigenous holistic education
  • Indigenizing mainstream curricula
  • Indigenous arts and culture
• Indigenous research methodologies
• Indigenous epistemology

• Indigenous sacred story, storytelling, and narrative within Indigenous creative writing
• Indigenizing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education