The Math Bundle Mathematics Workshop: A Success for FNUniv Team

Dr. Edward Doolittle delivered impactful closing remarks at The Math Bundle Mathematics Workshop, held at the Banff International Research Station (BIRS) in Banff, Alberta, from July 6 to 11, 2025.

Joining Dr. Doolittle were participants from the First Nations University of Canada (FNUniv), including Elder Betty McKenna and MSc student Layne Burns (Cree from James Smith First Nation, SK). Among Canada’s four Indigenous PhDs in mathematics, three were present: Broderick Causley, Benjamin Anderson-Sackaney, and Edward Doolittle. With twenty participants attending, it is noteworthy that over half identified as Indigenous.

The workshop broke new ground with its extensive integration of ceremony, a pioneering approach for mathematics conferences. The first day began on a positive note with a pipe ceremony led by Casey Eagle Speaker (Kainai) and Elder Alice Kaquitts (Îethka Nakoda Nation). Each day commenced with a smudging ceremony facilitated by Florence Glanfield, and the majority of daily activities featured talking circles, also led by Florence. Kori Czuy and Rob Cardinal offered a profound experience on the land. Elder Betty McKenna anchored the workshop by leading the opening and closing of the Mathematics Bundle and conducted a Full Moon ceremony on our final night.

The FNUniv team’s goals were clear: to cultivate community, foster shared understanding, ensure continuity in Indigenous Mathematics and education, and reintroduce spirituality into mathematics through ceremony and the ongoing development of the Mathematics Bundle—first established by Elder Betty McKenna, Edward Doolittle, and Florence Glanfield at a previous workshop in 2013. We achieved remarkable success that far exceeded our expectations. The FNUniv team will lead discussions and publish insightful papers derived from their experiences in the coming year, and they are enthusiastically preparing for Mathematics Bundle 2026, also set to take place in Banff.

Photo Credit: BIRS Website – The Math Bundle

Back row: Broderick Causley (one of four Indigenous PhDs in mathematics in Canada, Metis from Ontario), Layne Burns (Edward Doolittle’s MSc in Mathematics student, Cree from James Smith), Benjamin Anderson-Sackaney (one of four Indigenous PhDs in mathematics in Canada, from Fort Albany First Nation), Kori Czuy (Indigenous PhD in Mathematics Education), Rob Cardinal (Blackfoot astrophysicist), Trish Hirsh (Dene math educator from Yukon)

Front row: Andy Fry (Indigenous mathematician from the United States), Gale Russell (ally Professor of Mathematics Education, University of Regina), Elder Betty McKenna (First Nations University), Florence Glanfield (Indigenous Professor of Mathematics Education, Metis from Alberta), Marly Masiowski (ally mathematics educator, Winnipeg), Kyle Dahlin (Indigenous mathematician from Hawai’i), Margaret Erasmus (Indigenous mathematics educator, Yellowknives Dene First Nation), Amber Hughes (ally PhD in Mathematics Education, University of Newcastle Australia), Lisa Lunney Borden (ally Professor of Mathematics Education, St. Francis Xavier University, Nova Scotia), Dawn Wiseman (ally Professor of Mathematics Education, Bishops University, Sherbrooke, Quebec), Edward Doolittle (one of four Indigenous PhDs in mathematics in Canada, Mohawk from Six Nations), Bradley Thomas (Indigenous mathematics educator, Six Nations), Jennifer Thom (ally Professor of Mathematics Education, University of Victoria), Cynthia Nicol (ally Professor of Mathematics Education, University of British Columbia)